Former Orioles pitching prospect set to make MLB debut with Phillies
One of the many prospects the Orioles traded at the trade deadline is set to make his MLB debut
The Orioles sure had themselves a busy trade deadline, making a flurry of moves in an attempt to make the team better prior to the stretch run getting underway. Some of the moves have worked well, and some haven't.
One of the moves the Orioles made was acquiring lefty reliever Gregory Soto from the Philadelphia Phillies. In exchange for Soto, the Orioles sent pitching prospects Seth Johnson and Moisés Chace to Philly, the second trade the two teams had made in the span of a few days.
So far, Chace has been pitching well in the Phillies organization, but Johnson was the key part of the trade. After five starts in the minors between Double and Triple-A, Johnson is being called up to start the Sunday series finale against the Miami Marlins, ironically against old friends Connor Norby and Kyle Stowers.
Former Orioles prospect Seth Johnson to make MLB debut with Phillies
Johnson was having a strong year with Double-A Bowie at the time of the trade, with a 3.32 ERA and solid strikeout numbers through 18 starts to go with a 1.32 WHIP. He allowed three runs in 7 2/3 innings over two starts with Double-A Reading before going to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, where he's allowed just one run in 16 innings over three starts.
Soto has been a good addition for the Orioles, which makes the loss of Johnson and Chace easier to stomach. Despite two implosions early on that called his effectiveness into question, Soto has been much better lately. He has gone his last 10 appearances without allowing a run entering play on Friday, lowering his Orioles ERA from 54.00 after three games to 6.75 in 13.
Johnson is getting a good matchup in his debut as well, as the Marlins have an ugly -191 run differential and are mired in another miserable season. There aren't very many hitters that are performing well right now, but Connor Norby ironically is. Ready for a matchup of former Orioles?