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Baltimore Orioles: Three Recently Non-Tendered Pitching Targets

ByNick Stevens|
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Taijuan Walker #99 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - APRIL 14: Taijuan Walker #99 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 14, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
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A healthy Miguel Diaz is a very cheap, very solid option for the Baltimore Orioles.

If veterans coming off elbow injuries isn’t your thing, what about knee injuries? Miguel Diaz, a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher who has spent the last three seasons with the San Diego Padres, underwent right knee surgery before the 2019 season and then left knee surgery later in the season after making just five appearances.

If you have ever watched Diaz pitch, you understand why he’s worth a pickup, as long as the Orioles trust he can return from two major knee surgeries. Diaz is a four-pitch pitcher (four-seamer, slider, curveball, changeup) who owns a career strikeout rate of 9.05 K/9 IP in the majors with a fastball that averages 95-96 mph.

He showed a lot of promise in limited action in the majors back in 2018. In 11 outings (18 IP), Diaz posted a 3.27 FIP, a 14.46 K/9 IP rate, allowing just two home runs. His walk rate was very high (14%), but his electric fastball and 36% overall whiff rate were impressive.

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I have accepted the fact that the Baltimore Orioles are going to go after pitchers such as Walker and Diaz to come in and compete for roster spots during spring training. At least many of the pitchers we have highlighted have a much higher upside than Dan Straily and Nate Karns, last year’s free agent options.

Having options available, like Diaz, also doesn’t hurt as the Baltimore-Norfolk shuttle is sure to be well used again in 2020.

The Orioles 40-man roster currently sits at 38 players, with plenty of deadweight still hanging around. With the Winter Meetings coming up next week and the Rule 5 draft closing out festivities in San Diego this winter, I fully expect a few moves to be made over the next few days.

Stay tuned to BirdsWatcher.com and @BirdsWatcherFS on Twitter for news and reactions all year long!

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