Baltimore Orioles: Power Ranking Of American League East Rotations

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:

• Hyun-Jin Ryu
• Tanner Roark
• Chase Anderson
• Matt Shoemaker
• Anthony Kay

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.

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.