4 deserving Orioles players who'll be squeezed off 2024 Opening Day roster

Albert Suarez

There are always guys that come out of nowhere during spring training and force themselves into a competition. It is especially fun when it is a non-roster invitee that wasn't on anyone's radar. When the Orioles signed Albert Suarez to a minor league deal, few thought he would look anywhere close to as good as he has this spring...but here we are.

Suarez started his career in the big leagues with the Giants, but after a couple failed stops, he took his talents overseas to Japan and Korea, where he put together a few quality seasons. Now, he is back to try and give the big leagues a try once again.

Coming into Baltimore's camp with a revitalized fastball, Suarez has gotten a lot of attention while putting up some gaudy strikeout totals. His last spring appearance against the Rays didn't go well and has skewed his numbers in the wrong direction, but he still leads all Orioles pitchers with 16 strikeouts in just 11.1 innings of work this spring.

Suarez has been floated as a rotation option, but the bullpen seems like the more likely option. Unfortunately, Baltimore still seems wedded to guys like Jacob Webb and Cionel Perez that don't have the ceiling that Suarez has, but who are more proven commodities that won't require an additional roster move.