Orioles' top prospect gears up for potential MLB debut
The Baltimore Orioles' have called pitching prospect Chayce McDermott up to the taxi squad for their three-game series in Miami
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While much of the attention surrounding the Orioles' need to upgrade their pitching has focused on the trade market, the team is also exploring internal upgrades to the rotation.
On Tuesday, the Orioles announced that they have added right-handed pitcher and 7th ranked prospect Chayce McDermott to the taxi squad. While he has not been added to the 26 man roster as of yet, this move suggests that McDermott's Orioles' debut may be imminent.
RHP Chayce McDermott, added to O's taxi squad tdy is 3-5, 3.96 ERA on yr. Leads Int Lg & tied for all of minors lead in Ks and avg 12.76 per 9.
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) July 23, 2024
Is ranked No. 6 by BA and No. 7 team prospect by MLB. O's could start Burnes and Grayson on reg rest Wed and Thurs but no annce yet.
Albert Suarez is currently listed as tonight's starter in Miami, and Burnes and Rodriguez are tentatively scheduled to follow him. However, Brandon Hyde could opt to give Burnes and Rodriguez an extra day (which would push Burnes to Thursday's start in Miami and Rodriguez to Friday's start against San Diego) to allow McDermott to make his Major League debut. As Roch Kubatko notes, the Orioles have not announced their starters for Games 2 and 3.
Orioles top pitching prospect Chayce McDermott has joined the Orioles' taxi squad for the opener of a three-game series against the Marlins
The Orioles acquired McDermott back in 2022 as part of a three-way trade with the Astros and Marlins that shipped fan-favorite Trey Mancini to Houston. That trade also netted the Orioles right-hander Seth Johnson, who despite an 0-6 record in Bowie, has pitched to a 2.66 ERA and struck out nearly a batter per inning.
But for McDermott, this news presents an opportunity for him to immediately grab a spot in an Orioles' rotation that has technically not been full since the team optioned Cade Povich before the All-Star break.
McDermott has pitched well for Triple-A Norfolk this year, holding a 3.96 ERA and 1.43 WHIP in 20 games with the Tides. He has also struck out a stellar 129 batters in only 91 innings, good for 12.8 strikeouts per nine innings.
Tuesday's move does not automatically guarantee that McDermott will make his Major League debut this week in Miami. But it certainly qualifies as the closest McDermott has come to the majors thus far. And if Brandon Hyde wants to buy an extra day for Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez, McDermott may be one decision away from stepping on a major league mound and pitching in a game for the first time.
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