Baltimore Orioles Add RHP Aaron Brooks Off Waivers

BOSTON, MA - APRIL 30: Aaron Brooks #35 of the Oakland Athletics pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - APRIL 30: Aaron Brooks #35 of the Oakland Athletics pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park on April 30, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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The Baltimore Orioles have added yet another new pitcher into the mix as they try and get through the 2019 season.

The 2019 pitching staff has been a revolving door of failed veterans, unproven rookies, Quad-A talent, and seemingly anyone available who has a connection to current general manager of the Baltimore Orioles, Mike Elias. (other than our favorite All-Star, John Means, of course). It’s time to add another name to the ever-growing list of pitchers to climb the mound for the Orioles.

Before Saturday’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays, the Baltimore Orioles announced they have claimed RHP Aaron Brooks off waivers from the Oakland Athletics and designated RHP Josh Lucas for assignment.

Brooks, who was designated for assignment by the A’s back on July 3, is a 29-year-old right-handed pitcher and is listed at 6’4″ and 230 pounds. Originally a ninth-round pick of the Kansas City Royals in 2011, Brooks has appeared in 15 games for the A’s this season, six of which have been starts.

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Across 50 innings, Brooks is 2-3 with a 5.02 ERA and 1.25 WHIP. He owns a respectable  43/14 K/BB ratio and really turned it on during the month of June.

In six June relief outings, Brooks gave up four runs on nine hits across 13 innings, striking out 11 and walking just one. Opponents hit a measly .188 off Brooks in June. Overall as a reliever, Brooks owns a 3.79 ERA and 1.11 WHIP, compared to a 5.74 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in six starts.

Brooks is another arm who will attempt to get the Orioles through the 2019 season. Looking at his Baseball Savant numbers, you find a pitcher who ranks in the bottom half of the league in fastball spin rate and velocity and hard-hit percentage. Largely a fastball, slider, changeup reliever, Brooks has surrendered his fair share of home runs this season, 12 in total or 2.15/9 IP. It’s not a sexy addition to the roster, but it’s a fresh arm looking for a fresh start.

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The Orioles don’t have to make room on the 25-man roster quite yet for Aaron Brooks, but I’d anticipate David Hess finding his way back to Norfolk once Brooks reports.