Orioles pick intriguing starter to open Grapefruit League play on Saturday

The Orioles are set to open their Grapefruit League schedule tomorrow with a 1:05 EST contest against the Pirates at Ed Smith Stadium in Sarasota. On Thursday, the O's made their announcement about their picks to take the mound during Saturday's affair, and the name then chose to make the start was a bit of a surprise.

It's probably not so much a signal about his potential role during the regular season this year but the Orioles have tabbed righty Albert Suarez to toe the rubber against the Pirates and lead the Orioles into the 2025 spring training slate.

Suarez played a key role for the 2024 Orioles, functioning as both a starter and reliever en route to a 3.70 ERA across 133.1 innings. The peripherals weren't perfect, as Suarez posted a below average 19.1% strikeout rate and a 4.24 FIP. However, it was an overall encouraging year for the now 35 year old in his first MLB season since he left the Giants back in 2017.

It was reported earlier this month that following a couple injuries to the Orioles' group of depth starters, the plan for Suarez was to stretch him out as a starter and prepare for him to open the year with a chance to crack the rotation. We'll see Suarez for likely a couple innings on Saturday before he cedes the mound to the rest of the guys in line to throw.

Albert Suarez set to take the mound for the Orioles on Saturday

Included in that group will be lefty Keegan Akin, who has a real chance to break out in 2025. On the heels of a season in which the 29 year old pitched to a 3.32 ERA in nearly 80 innings, the Orioles will have plenty of opportunities for Akin to establish himself as the dominant left hander in the bullpen moving forward.

After the Orioles let veteran Danny Coulombe walk in free agency, the group of available lefties include Akin, Gregory Soto, and Cionel Perez. Akin is the youngest of the group and coming off the best year of his career. He has a good a chance as anyone to see high-leverage innings against right opposing right handed batters.

In addition to Akin and Suarez, the Orioles have also tabbed reliever Bryan Baker, as well as prospects Justin Armbruester and Kade Strowd, to throw against the Pirates on Saturday. Baker was topping out at 98-99 mph during his early bullpens this spring and could throw meaningful innings for the Orioles this year if he can stay healthy.

Armbruester had a solid year in 2023 but collapsed in his first taste of Triple-A last year. He pitched to a 7.54 ERA in 119.1 innings with Norfolk and lost nearly all of the hype he had attached to him. He'll need a strong performance this spring to get his career back on track.

Strowd hasn't been able to get results in his brief professional career but he does have some potential. The righty has consistently posted strikeout rates above 30% down in the minors but his walk rates have been high and hitters at advanced levels have crushed him.