The Orioles announced they’ve claimed reliever Bryan Baker off waivers from the Blue Jays. The 26-year-old made his big league debut in September, tossing a scoreless inning during a win over the A’s.
Baker’s big league outing was the briefest cup of coffee, but he showed a live arm, averaging just shy of 95 MPH on his fastball. Even more appealing is his Triple-A track record, as he earned that late-season look with a stellar year for the Jays’ top affiliate. The righty tossed 41 1/3 innings across 39 appearances with the Bisons, pitching to a 1.31 ERA while striking out a strong 28.9% of batters faced.
The knock on Baker throughout his time in the minors has been spotty control. His 10.2% walk percentage in Triple-A this past season wasn’t much higher than the major league average for relievers, but Baker’s walk totals from 2018-19 were significantly more alarming. The O’s will take a no-cost flier to see if he can sustain this year’s control improvements and settle in as a useful option in a wide open bullpen.
Baker still has a pair of minor league option years remaining, so the front office can freely move him between Baltimore and Triple-A Norfolk for the next couple seasons so long as he sticks on the 40-man roster. The claim brings the Orioles’ 40-man tally up to 32, while the Jays’ roster now sits at 33.
Robert Murray of FanSided reported the move shortly before the team announcement.
Having tossed ONE scoreless inning, he immediately becomes the Orioles closer.
Cole Sulser, Tyler Wells
You have to win to utilize a closer.
You have to win to get saves. He can close out all the losses they want…
Someone has to stop the bleeding.
elias the dumpster diver strikes again!
Wish he had more chances with the jays, seemed like he could have been a stud for us.
Based on?
Based on his size, and how he has had a below 4 era the past couple minor league seasons with a 1.31 era in triple A this year through 41 innings pitched.
I agree. He was a lot better than Chatwood or Hand.
Or Soria or Dolis or Edwards Jr
The Orioles just found their #3 starter.
Big guy with a live arm, that’s a good flier for the Orioles to take.
1 inning is enough for the Orioles to assess.
Not a bad signing for the Orioles. Definitely a big man and has some velocity. Triple A numbers are pretty impressive. Probably did not cost a lot and still has some minor league options available.
The Orioles aren’t afraid of those guys who can’t control their pitches.
I remember when every team would have at least one pitcher who lacked control…… specifically so guys like BigPapi could take a bean with the bases loaded instead of hitting those damn home runs……no honor in baseball anymore….just fake PC BS.
I still blame Leyland……
Ortiz was on PED’s.
“The knock on Baker throughout his time in the minors has been spotty control.”
Sweet. He’ll fit seamlessly right into the Os pitching staff. Hoping for the best, but as an Os fan…I know better. Lol.
How’d this turn?