Baltimore Orioles: Six Prospects Likely To Debut in 2020

3 of 7

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – SEPTEMBER 22: Empty beer coolers are shown on the upper deck at Oriole Park at Camden Yards during the Baltimore Orioles and Seattle Mariners game on September 22, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /

Could Bruce Zimmermann make the Opening Day roster for the Baltimore Orioles?

Remember at the beginning of the piece when I made up my own rules and said one name I was going to discuss isn’t on the Orioles Top 30 list? Well, Bruce Zimmermann is that guy. This doesn’t mean I think he has the most potential of this group (he doesn’t) but he may not have much more to prove in the minor leagues.

Zimmermann is a Baltimore native who returned to his hometown after being traded by the Atlanta Braves in the Kevin Gausman and Darren O’Day deal last season.

He struggled in his first action in the Orioles system, posting a 5.06 ERA and 1.50 WHIP in five starts with Bowie. He was much improved in 2019, going 5-3 with a 2.58 ERA, a .227 average against, and 101 strikeouts in 101 innings with the Baysox.

His dominant performance resulted in a promotion to Triple-A where he went 2-3 with a 4.89 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, and struck out 33 in 38 innings.

Zimmermann doesn’t have the high-velocity fastball or wipeout slider in his repertoire, but he does pile up strikeouts and limit home runs (22 allowed in 298 IP). He’s another high-floor pitching prospect who, at best, can hang around in the backend of the Orioles rotation, or at least contribute out of the bullpen as a long-relief type.

He will be 25 when spring training rolls around and there aren’t going to be many pitching options in 2020, hence why Zimmermann could be up before anyone else on this list.

Home/Orioles News