Former Angels pitching prospect may solve Orioles' bullpen need

Could be a sneaky answer for Baltimore's bullpen.
Feb 18, 2026; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Eric Torres (95) poses for media day. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
Feb 18, 2026; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Eric Torres (95) poses for media day. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images | Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

The Baltimore Orioles bolstered their pitching staff this offseason with the additions of Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, and Ryan Helsley. They also brought back Zach Eflin and Andrew Kittredge, but their work seemed to have ignored the fact that they were short on left-handed options for the bullpen. It's become a clear need on the roster ahead of Opening Day, but the answer could be one of the non-roster invites with the team during spring training.

Former Los Angeles Angels pitching prospect Eric Torres is among the veterans vying for a spot in the Orioles' bullpen, and Jake Rill of MLB.com has tabbed him as the dark horse candidate to make the roster out of spring training.

Eric Torres could be the answer to the biggest need that the Orioles have in the bullpen

The 26-year-old was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels near the end of the 2021 MLB Draft, and his early calling card was his ability to miss bats. He struck out over 34% of the hitters he faced at the Single-A and Double-A levels.

While he wasn't missing bats with the same frequency at the Triple-A level, 22.6% in 2023 and 20.5% in 2024, there still was an expectation that he could slide onto a major league roster as a left-handed option in the bullpen. He spent 2025 perfecting his arsenal on the independent scene and now has a strong chance at breaking camp with the Orioles.

At this stage of the offseason, the Orioles aren't going to find established left-handed relief pitchers just sitting on the free-agent market. A reunion with Danny Coulombe could make some level of sense, but he also posted a 5.25 ERA to close out the 2025 season with the Texas Rangers. Rather than take a flyer on their former southpaw, the Orioles may prefer to sift through the options they already have in camp.

Assuming Torres flashes some success in spring training, it wouldn't be hard to picture him beating out one of Keegan Akin or Dietrich Enns for a spot in the bullpen. Especially if he possesses the strikeout success he had during his original ascent through the Angels' farm system.

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