Baltimore Orioles top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez set to make MLB debut

It's time, Orioles fans, it's time. Top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez has gotten the call to the major leagues and will start the Orioles series finale against the Texas Rangers on Wednesday afternoon.

Top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez called up to make major league debut

After Rodriguez was surprisingly left off the Orioles opening day roster, made the opening day start for the Triple A Norfolk Tides, allowing three runs, two earned, in four innings. Now, with Kyle Bradish bound for the IL after being struck by a line drive, it's time for Rodriguez to leave his first impression on the major leagues.

When Bradish left injured, scheduled Tuesday starter Tyler Wells instead pitched five no-hit innings in an emergency appearance. That moved scheduled Wednesday starter Kyle Gibson up to Tuesday, where he pitched admirably in an Orioles win.

That left an open spot for Thursday. It was either Austin Voth out of the bullpen in a spot start or a callup from Norfolk. Enter Rodriguez. My guess is that this injury is a little more serious than the Orioles have let on if they are calling up Rodriguez. If they were looking for a callup to just make a start or two before Bradish comes back, I think they would've gone to DL Hall or Spenser Watkins.

By calling up Rodriguez, I think this is a longer term situation. As he is the best pitching prospect in the organization, I think he's getting called up because they think Bradish could be out longer. Someone like Rodriguez, in the position he's in, would get a longer run at the major league level to see if he can stick, he wouldn't just get called up for a start or two and get sent down.

So, while this is tough luck for Bradish and I hope he recovers soon, this is Grayson Rodriguez's time now. It's time for him to show Brandon Hyde and Mike Elias what he's got in the major leagues. The future is bright, and it just got brighter.