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Baltimore Orioles: The Biggest Takeaways From Opening Day

By Nick Stevens

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 28: Dwight Smith Jr. #35 and Cedric Mullins #3 of the Baltimore Orioles look on during batting practice before the game against the New York Yankees during Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 28, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MARCH 28: Dwight Smith Jr. #35 and Cedric Mullins #3 of the Baltimore Orioles look on during batting practice before the game against the New York Yankees during Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 28, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Orioles
BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 28: David Hess #41 of the Baltimore Orioles pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 28, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher David Hess provided valuable relief innings on Opening Day.

Today’s off day for the Baltimore Orioles allowed Brandon Hyde plenty of flexibility when deciding how to use his pitching staff on Opening Day. The extra day even allowed Monday’s projected starting pitcher, David Hess, to log two innings of relief work to stop the bleeding started by Andrew Cashner and Mike Wright.

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Hess gave up just one hit across his two frames, walking two and striking out two. He topped out at 95.6 mph, getting Gary Sanchez to foul off both that particular pitch and a 95.5 mph fastball later in the at-bat. Hess averaged just a tick under 92 mph last season with his fastball as a starting pitcher.

I don’t point this out to say that Hess should immediately transfer to the bullpen. He will start Monday against the Toronto Blue Jays and I’m excited to see what he brings to the table in 2019 after showing solid promise as a back-end rotation starter last season. Hess took his lumps but put together a few big stretches.

However, should the Orioles pursue quality free agent pitchers next offseason and a few of their top prospect pitchers pan out in the next two-three years, I really like the potential of Hess to jump into the bullpen and find success in shorter stints.

Could it have been some extra Opening Day juice behind the pitches? Maybe. Maybe not.

Eight Wishes For The 2019 Baltimore Orioles Season. dark. Next

What did you see that you liked, Baltimore Orioles fans? Anyone catch your eye on Opening Day? Let us know!

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