D.L. Hall and the Baltimore Orioles: Patience is a Virtue

There’s an old saying: “patience is a virtue” but I would be willing to bet money that the person who coined this phrase wasn’t  an athlete.  In the case of LHP D.L. Hall and the Baltimore Orioles, patience and time will tell if and when he’s ready to move up to the Show.

The Valdosta, GA native and 21st overall MLB selection in 2017 is making a name for himself on the backside of the furor over recently-promoted Adley Rutschman and future Oriole Grayson Rodriguez.

The Baltimore Orioles faithful are  enveloped in the grip of Adley-Mania and why not?  Rutschman so far has shown he’s big league caliber behind the plate and in the batter’s box.  Next on the promotion tour is expected to bring RHP “Gray Rod”  -Grayson Rodriguez – up to Baltimore soon with no immediate time frame set.

For Hall, the process may take more longer.  After losing the 2020 season to Covid 19 and an arm injury limiting his time to 31 2/3 innings in 2021, Hall has made steady progress through the Baltimore Orioles farm system.  In April, Hall was promoted to High A Aberdeen and had exactly one outing before moving on to AA Bowie.  Again, one pitching assignment with the Baysox sent him packing up to AAA Norfolk.

D.L. Hall and the Baltimore Orioles: Patience is a Virtue

As a southpaw, Hall caught the attention of many this spring by lighting up the radar gun with multiple 100+ mph fastballs.  Hall is quick to acknowledge that he’s been working on a moving away from being just another fastball hurler: ” I can also throw other stuff. That’s something I’m gonna continue to prove -and improve-and continue to try and command all four of them.”

Hall  spent the last two seasons working on his changeup,  slider and a curveball  -all prerequisites for a Major League pitcher.  Hall has paid close attention to his curveball and disguising it with a 12-6 position drop. Hall will be working out of the AAA Norfolk rotation and has 17.1 innings of work with 26 strikeouts to only 8 walks and a WHIP of 1.27.

Baltimore Orioles GM Mike Elias should take his time with moving Hall up to the big leagues and allow him time to work on his pitch repertoire to  serve as a weapon in the bullpen.  At any rate, it’s probably only a matter of time before D.L. Hall finds himself in an Orioles uniform.