Who is Kaleb Ort, the newest member of the Orioles?

Just a day after acquiring left-handed pitcher Matt Krook from the New York Yankees, the Baltimore Orioles made another trade to bring in some pitching. The team announced on Monday the acquisition of Kaleb Ort from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for cash considerations. Peyton Burdick, acquired in a trade five days prior, was DFA'd as the corresponding 40-man roster move.

The move continues the flurry of transactions made this spring by the Orioles. The team has brought in Burdick, Diego Castillo, Krook and now Ort since spring training began, with infielders Livan Soto and Nick Maton being added just before. Soto, Castillo and Burdick have now also been DFA'd, with Soto being claimed by the Los Angeles Angels off waivers Sunday.

With another new pitcher in the mix, let's learn about Kaleb Ort

Ort has spent the last three seasons with the Boston Red Sox after he was a minor-league rule five pick from the Yankees before the 2021 season. This season, Ort has been the subject of numerous transactions since his third season with the Red Sox ended.

First, the Red Sox outrighted him off the 40-man roster and the Seattle Mariners claimed him off waivers. The Mariners put him back on waivers at the start of December, where he was claimed by the Miami Marlins. He was DFA'd by the Marlins in February and the Phillies put in a waiver claim for him. The Phillies then DFA'd him again and traded him to Baltimore.

In the majors, Ort has put together a good strikeout rate, and a respectable walk rate while also throwing the ball hard. He ranked in the 80th percentile in fastball velocity, a drop from an 87th percentile ranking in 2022.

That is where the positives end with Ort. After a 6.35 ERA in 25 games in 2022, Ort had a 6.26 ERA and 1.57 WHIP in 21 games in 2023. He allowed six long balls and 16 earned runs in 23 innings pitched and averaged 10.6 hits per nine.

Ort had his season cut short by injury in 2023, as the Red Sox placed him on the 15 Day IL with elbow inflammation in July. He was later transferred to the 60 Day IL and wasn't able to return down the stretch.

If the Orioles can keep Ort in the organization, on the 40-man roster or not, they'll try to turn him into a more complete pitcher and try to cut down on the walks and make it more difficult for hitters to square up his pitches. He has one year of minor league options remaining.