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5 things that didn't work out as planned for the Orioles in 2023
While a lot of things went right for the Orioles, it wasn't a perfect season
By every account, 2023 was an incredible year for the Baltimore Orioles. They surpassed 100 wins, won the AL East for the first time in nearly a decade, and made the playoffs for the first time since 2016.
Not everything went as well as the whole season did. Some things the Orioles did failed or didn't go to plan, whether that was by their own doing or due to the player. Here are 5 things that didn't work out as planned for the Orioles in 2023.
Cole Irvin's first season in Baltimore
One move the Orioles made during the offseason last year was acquiring starting pitcher Cole Irvin in a trade with the Oakland Athletics, landing Irvin and Kyle Virbitsky in exchange for infielder Darell Hernaiz. The idea was that Irvin would be a dependable arm in the back of the rotation that the Orioles could give the ball to and avoid rushing their pitching prospects to the majors.
The problem was that Irvin wasn't particularly good in his first season with the Orioles. He spent time in the rotation, bullpen, and with Triple A Norfolk as he had a 4.42 ERA, 4.43 FIP, and 1.280 WHIP over 24 games in the majors, throwing 77 1/3 innings.
Virbitsky, the other piece of the return, had a 4.09 ERA and 1.171 WHIP while spending the whole year with High A Aberdeen. While he would have been excess goods in the Orioles system, Hernaiz had a great year in the A's system, combining for a .321/.386/.456 slash line with 71 RBI's and 13 stolen bases in 131 games between Double A Midland and Triple A Las Vegas, and could make his major league debut in 2024.
While the Orioles agreed to a $2 million deal with Irvin to avoid arbitration in his first year of eligibility, He's under team control through the end of 2026. If he wants to last in Baltimore that long, he'll have to improve on a down year in 2023.
Jorge Mateo being the everyday shortstop
When the Orioles took the field at Fenway Park on opening day, Jorge Mateo was the team's starting shortstop and had the chance to build off a solid 2022 season. Through the first month of the season, Mateo was one of the Orioles best players and didn't show any signs of slowing down.
Saying Mateo slowed down wouldn't be correct. The best way to say it is that he ran full speed into a brick wall. His production cratered once the calendar turned to May and he became a bench player by the second half, used mostly as a late-game defensive replacement or in pinch-running situations.
While having a big series in the ALDS against the Texas Rangers likely secured him a spot on the roster to start the year, he'll likely continue to serve in a backup infielder role with Gunnar Henderson firmly entrenched as the shortstop with Jordan Westburg looking to contribute in a big way and Jackson Holliday's debut on the horizon.
Kyle Stowers' major league playing time
The one word I would use to describe Kyle Stowers' 2023 season is yikes. Once a highly regarded outfield prospect, Stowers made the opening day roster and appeared primed for his first full season in the majors. Well, that didn't exactly happen.
Stowers started only six of the 14 games he played in and recorded just two hits and three walks in 33 plate appearances. He was optioned to Triple A in May and never saw the majors again. Along the way, he was seemingly passed over on the depth chart by Heston Kjerstad and Colton Cowser.
His season with Norfolk went well as he was a mainstay in the lineup that helped lead the Tides to the Triple A championship. He proved that he doesn't need any more time in Triple A, but that's where he'll continue to be as long as he's in the organization because he's been jumped and there's no clear path to the majors. Maybe a fresh start is what he needs to carve out a major league role.
Acquiring Jack Flaherty at the trade deadline
This one didn't work out very well at all. With the Orioles seeking pitching reinforcements at the trade deadline, Mike Elias pulled the trigger on a trade that sent Drew Rom, César Prieto, and Zack Showalter to the St. Louis Cardinals for Jack Flaherty in the hopes that he could be what Cole Irvin wasn't, a reliable arm in the middle or back of the rotation.
After his first start was great and his second start was good, things fell apart for Flaherty with the Orioles. He ended the season with a 6.75 ERA and 1.673 WHIP with seven home runs allowed in 34 2/3 innings and was demoted to a mop up role in the bullpen near the end of the season.
Flaherty hit free agency at the start of the offseason and didn't return to Baltimore, signing a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers in December as he looks to have a rebound season. This one didn't work out for anyone, as Rom struggled big time in the majors and Showalter only pitched one inning after the trade. At least Prieto had a solid stretch with the Cardinals Triple A squad.
Colton Cowser's first taste of the majors
In early July, the Orioles opted to call up prized outfield prospect Colton Cowser as they were going through a rough patch at the time and hoped Cowser could spark the offense. That didn't exactly happen, as Cowser got just seven hits in 77 plate appearances, though his 13 walks were a positive.
After 26 games, Cowser was optioned to Triple A in August as he hadn't done enough to stick at the major league level and was struggling immensely. He came back up for a few days in September but didn't appear in a game before being sent down again.
The future is still bright for Colton Cowser, and he'll get every chance to prove he can be a valuable major league player as he has a chance to crack the opening day roster in 2024. But there's no denying his first taste of the majors was underwhelming at best.
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