Baltimore Orioles: Power Ranking Of American League East Rotations

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BALTIMORE, MD – SEPTEMBER 22: John Means #67 of the Baltimore Orioles in congratulated for his performance in the seventh inning during a baseball game against the Seattle Mariners at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on September 22, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /

Contributor Ari Ezra power ranks the AL East starting rotations as we head into 2020. We know where the Baltimore Orioles rank.

The American League East has been one of the top stories of the off-season. Whether it be drama in Boston regarding the managerial situation or the big additions of arms like Gerrit Cole and Hyun-Jin Ryu, AL East teams have made a lot of noise this offseason

They say pitching wins baseball games, so let’s rank every AL East team’s pitching staff going into the 2020 season. You can probably guess where the Baltimore Orioles enter on this list.

5) Baltimore Orioles

Predicted Rotation

John Means
Alex Cobb
Asher Wojciechowski
Kohl Stewart, Keegan Akin, Wade LeBlanc
David Hess, Brandon Bailey, Michael Rucker

2019 Team ERA: 5.59

Key Additions: Kohl Stewart (FA), Brandon Bailey (Rule 5 Pick), Michael Rucker (Rule 5 Pick), Wade LeBlanc (FA)

The Orioles are not only last on my power rankings but were statistically the worst in Major League Baseball.

All-Star LHP John Means had a great 2019 season and looks to keep it going in 2020. From there, it is a mix of starters who Brandon Hyde will have to try out throughout spring training and into the regular season. Alex Cobb was not much of a factor in 2019 as he was recovering from another injury. The Orioles will need to see Cobb take the big step they have patiently been waiting for since his arrival in 2018.

Asher Wojciechowski had some glimpses of promise during last season and looks to secure a spot in the Orioles rotation. For the last two slots, it is very much up in the air. Additions in the offseason like LeBlanc or Stewart could fill these spots. It could also be someone who was already in the organization such as Hess or Akin.

4) Toronto Blue Jays

Predicted Rotation:

2019 team ERA: 4.79

Key Additions: Hyun-Jin Ryu (FA), Tanner Roark (FA), Chase Anderson (Trade)

The Toronto Blue Jays also struggled mightily with their starting pitching last season. In free agency, they made a couple of splashes which could have their rotation looking a lot better heading into the new season.

The Jays acquired All-Star and Cy-Young runner up Hyun-Jin Ryu in free agency. He will lead their rotation and have a leadership role with a very young team filled with upcoming stars. Tanner Roark was also acquired through free agency. Roark is a seasoned veteran who will give a solid 5-6 innings per start. He will play an important role in which is thought to be the number two spot.

At three and four, the Jays will yet again have starters that are new to the squad. Chase Anderson was acquired in a trade with the Brewers and Matt Shoemaker came over to the Jays last season, only pitching in five games. I believe the five spot will go to Anthony Kay who came over in the Marcus Stroman trade.

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JUNE 25: Blake Snell #4 of the Tampa Bay Rays reacts as manager Kevin Cash #16 walks to the mound during the fourth inning of the game against the Minnesota Twins on June 25, 2019 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Rays 9-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

The Boston Red Sox rotation took a hit on Tuesday night.

3) Boston Red Sox

Predicted Rotation

Chris Sale
Eduardo Rodriguez
Nathan Eovaldi
Martín Pérez
TBD

2019 team ERA: 4.70

Key Additions: Martín Pérez (FA)

The Red Sox rotation did not meet expectations in 2019. This was part of why the Sox didn’t even make the playoffs after winning the World Series the previous year.

Once again, Chris Sale will lead Boston’s rotation. Sale dealt with an injury last season and is trying to come back to his All-Star caliber level this season. Eduardo Rodriguez, the most reliable piece to the Sox over the past few years, will likely man the #2 rotation spot.

Former Cy-Young winner, David Price was just traded on Tuesday night to the Los Angeles Dodgers. This will leave a big hole in the Red Sox rotation, depending on what the Red Sox return package is (as of late Tuesday night, a viable replacement isn’t coming back in return). Next, comes Nathan Eovaldi in the #3 spot who helped push the Red Sox to their World Series victory in 2018. Eovaldi is also coming off an injury that kept him out for most of last season. Manning the #4 spot, for now, will likely be Martín Pérez who had a 5.12 ERA with the Twins last season.

2) Tampa Bay Rays

Predicted Rotation:

Blake Snell
Tyler Glasnow
Charlie Morton
Ryan Yarbrough
Yonny Chirinos
Brendan McKay

2019 team ERA: 2.82

Key Additions: N/A

The Tampa Bay Rays are certainly a dangerous-looking team from their arms, bats, and gloves. However, their rotation is going to be the spotlight of the team and one of the best in the league.

Don’t let this young rotation fool you, this group of arms could match up with teams like the Yankees. The difference between the Rays and Yankees hurlers is that the Rays have built their rotation mostly through trades and their farm system. In addition, the Rays have a team full of flamethrowers beginning with Blake Snell. Snell is coming off a season that was exceptionally less impressive than his 2018 Cy-Young year. He posted a 4.29 ERA but did deal with injury and therefore had a smaller sample size.

The second spot will be filled by the young star, Tyler Glasnow. Followed by the veteran Charlie Morton who had a great bounce-back season last year. The four, five and six spots could go in any order and that is if the Rays use a 6-man rotation. Yarbrough, Chirinos, and McKay are all pitchers who many teams such as the O’s could use as starters near the top of their rotation.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK – DECEMBER 18: Gerrit Cole speaks to the media at Yankee Stadium during a press conference at Yankee Stadium on December 18, 2019 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /

Are the New York Yankees the favorite to win the American League East this year?

1) New York Yankees

Predicted Rotation:

2019 Starter ERA: 2.87

Key Additions: Gerrit Cole (FA)

The Yankees are the clear-cut favorites to win the AL East. After all, why wouldn’t they be?

The Yankees signed Major League Baseball’s best pitcher in Gerrit Cole to a monstrous $36M/yr, $324M contract through 2028. This is going to be the man AL East teams do not want to see every fifth day. From Cole, the Yankees will have Masahiro Tanaka in the second spot. Tanaka was an All-Star last season, pitching the 2nd most innings of his career.

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Next, I think James Paxton will fill the #3 spot in the Yankees rotation. Paxton had the most wins of his career last season as well as having the 2nd most K’s of his 7-year career. Luis Severino will fill the #4 spot. The two-time All-Star only appeared in three games last season, throwing just 12 innings. Severino is due for a breakout season after having almost a full season to recover from injury.

J.A. Happ, entering his 14th MLB season, is predicted to be the #5 starter for the Bronx team. Happ had a near 5.00 ERA and is looking to sustain his position in the rotation this season. The second lefty behind Paxton will likely be the fifth man, but if it starts to get ugly, don’t be surprised if the Yanks decide to throw in another lefty, Jordan Montgomery. If Montgomery gets the opportunity, he will look to replicate his 2017 season which he posted a 3.88 ERA in 29 starts.

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Do the Blue Jays move up this list by the end of the season? Just how good is the Yankees rotation? Stay tuned throughout the season to find out.

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