Pair of Orioles pitching prospects crack 'Top 10 most improved' list

The Baltimore Orioles are best-known for the impressive talent pipeline they have established when it comes to position players -- and with good reason. Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Colton Cowser, and Heston Kjerstad are just some of the top -end offensive talent that the Orioles' farm system has produced in recent years, and that doesn't even include guys like Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo, Samuel Basallo and Connor Norby, who are on the way.

However, the Orioles have quietly made some real strides on the pitching side as well. Top Baltimore pitching prospect Cade Povich has impressed in 2024 with a 1.11 ERA down at Triple-A, and could factor into the team's plans very soon if he can keep it up and rein in his walks a bit. Given the fact that Grayson Rodriguez just went down with a shoulder injury, Orioles fans may not have to wait too long to see him.

Recently, the fine folks at Baseball America identified two other Orioles pitching prospects, Michael Forret and Moises Chace, whose performances this season have opened a lot of eyes as well, earning them spots on BA's most improved stuff list.

Orioles pitching prospects Michael Forret and Moises Chace recognized for huge 2024 strides

It looks like Baltimore may have struck gold with Forret, their 2023 14th-round pick in the draft out of a junior college in Florida. Forret has posted a 3.07 ERA in his four appearances so far this season with an impressive 21 strikeouts in just 14.2 innings of work. BA noted that his fastball has seen an increase in velocity as a pro and his slider has been filthy. His performance has been against low minors hitters and he still has a ways to go, but Forret is off to a great start to his pro career.

As for Chace, he came into the 2024 season having come off of a pair of mediocre seasons at Low-A and had little to no fanfare surrounding him. However, his changeup has really done work this year and that, combined with a better fastball, has yielded a 1.20 ERA this season so far. Lingering concerns over his command, which can be rough, could portend a future in the bullpen, where his stuff will be allowed to play up. That may not be the worst outcome for an Orioles' organization that could also use some depth there.

The Orioles' calling card, at least for now, is going to be their ability to develop bats. However, the early returns in 2024 are that they are no slouches at growing pitchers down in the minors. If they can keep that up, they are going to be a very scary team for a very long time (and, remember, the faraway left field wall could help these folks, too).

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