Orioles acquire strikeout specialist from Royals to bolster bullpen depth

The Orioles have melted down a bit this week, getting swept by the Cubs while losing the series by a score of 21-2. They were shut out on back to back nights for the first time since 2021, a rare feat for an O's team that had only been shut out twice all year prior to the Cubs' series.

However, the offense wasn't the only problem. The pitching staff struggled heavily, with Dean Kremer getting shelled on Tuesday, followed by a rough day for Corbin Burnes on Wednesday and a brutal night for both Albert Suarez and Cole Irvin on Thursday.

Recognizing that the Orioles have some deficiencies in the pitching staff, GM Mike Elias went out and made an effort to shore up the O's bullpen depth ahead of the trade deadline.

The Orioles are starting to address their pitching needs ahead of the trade deadline

On Thursday afternoon, the Orioles announced they'd acquired RHP Colin Selby from the Royals in exchange for cash considerations. Selby was designated for assignment by the Royals earlier in the week and the Orioles saw something they liked and struck a deal.

In order to make room for Selby on the 40-man roster, the Orioles transferred RHP Kyle Bradish to the 60-day IL while he recovers from Tommy John surgery.

Selby has pitched for both the Royals and the Pirates this year. He's struggled in a very small sample at the major league level but has been a strikeout machine down in the minors, part of the reason he has a third team willing to take a chance on him this year.

Selby was masterful with the Pirates Double-A club in 2022, pitching to a 2.20 ERA with a 30% strikeout rate in 26 appearances. That success translated well after the Pirates promoted him to Triple-A for the 2023 season, and he eventually made his way to Pittsburgh last year.

While the results weren't quite there, Selby has the makings of a capable reliever. He's a power righty with a mid to high 90's four-seamer, a sharp sinker, and a nasty curve.

As Tyler Zombro makes clear in this Twitter thread on Selby's stuff, the Pirates had him focused on throwing his fastball more often, likely because of the high velocity. But the data shows that the curveball is Selby's best pitch. It's something the Orioles likely recognized when the Royals DFA'd him and will try to fix when he arrives in Norfolk.

With any luck, the Orioles will be able to dial in Selby's pitch mix and develop a viable reliever. Selby has the stuff to succeed in the majors. Whether the Orioles can unlock the right combination of factors to make that a reality, we'll have to wait and see.