Baltimore Orioles: Kyle Bradish looks to fill the hole left in Means’ absence

Baltimore Orioles fans had hoped to see a highly touted prospect make his way up to the bigs this month, but it’s doubtful Kyle Bradish was the name many expected to see.

The front office for the Baltimore Orioles didn’t waste any time changing everyone’s minds after a dismal sweep from the Yankees on Thursday afternoon, as the leaks started flowing left and right of a new prospect making his MLB debut. MASN’s own Roch Kubatko dropped the initial clues following the game, and it only got more and more accurate as the evening advanced.

Kyle Bradish was already high on the prospect list before coming into the 2022 season. Still, after a stellar Spring Training and an immediate showcasing in Triple-A, this call-up does come as no surprise, other than its timing. In over 15 innings pitched this season for the Norfolk Tides, he has struck out 17, walked only three, and boasted a 0.733 WHIP.

Orioles executive VP/GM Mike Elias had expressed his concerns with John Means missing the entire 2022 season and Chris Ellis for the foreseeable future. When asked about filling the void, Elias said: “I think anybody in our Triple-A who’s pitching well, pitching, and Kyle has put themselves in good contention for joining this rotation.” Do you think Elias was on to something?

Baltimore Orioles: Kyle Bradish looks to fill the hole left in John Means’ absence

If things for Norfolk stated the same, Bradish would’ve pitched earlier this week, but the stars seemed to align when that got moved to Friday night. Over his three starts, Bradish went four innings, then five, and finally six that last time out, throwing 87 pitches. Now facing MLB talent for the first time, what can we expect from the flame-throwing righty?

In Bradish’s first test tonight, under the lights in Baltimore, he will take on the Boston Red Sox. The idea of BoSox hitters sounds fierce, but Alex Cora‘s boys are currently only posting a .229 BA and a .275 OBS. Those two numbers fall below center overall in the MLB, and the Red Sox have had struggles of their own so far in 2022.

For Bradish, this last-minute decision, although stressful, might be a pleasant surprise not to have to overthink it. After a long road trip, he gets the nod at home and with fans pouring in to see their O’s. What more could we ask for with some Friday night baseball? Just go out there and do your thing, kid. We’re all rooting for you!