Baltimore Orioles: Someone Will Rise Above The Rest, Right?

The Baltimore Orioles have a large number of starting rotation candidates as spring training approaches. Who sticks out above the rest?

Say what you will about the starting pitching help Baltimore Orioles general manager Mike Elias has brought into the organization this offseason, but personally, I’m kind of excited to watch the competition unfold among this group of starters.

The plan to reach respectability is moving as planned and laid out by the Orioles front office, beginning with the establishment of a pipeline of talent in the minor leagues. Four Orioles prospects currently rank among the top ten at their position, according to MLB Pipeline, with all four ranking among the Top 100 overall (Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez, DL Hall).

More elite talent is on the way, with the Orioles drafting second overall in a deep 2020 draft and could easily find themselves with the top overall pick in 2021, where Vanderbilt pitcher Kumar Rocker is the early favorite to go 1:1.

While we wait for the pitching talent to arrive, the Orioles have a long list of starting rotation candidates going into spring training, with more candidates likely on the way between now and mid-February when Grapefruit League action gets underway.

From former top draft picks who have yet to pan out, to Rule 5 picks, minor league signings, and even some internal candidates, someone has to rive above the pack and become a contributor, right?

Let’s take a quick look at each candidate and then make our pick as to who we think makes the most noise in 2020 and beyond.