The Baltimore Orioles recently announced the recall of right-hander Kade Strowd to their major league roster. He is set to make his debut soon. In a corresponding move, left-hander Grant Wolfram has been sent to Triple-A Norfolk.
Strowd, 27, was added to the 40-man roster last November to protect him from the Rule 5 draft. Drafted in the 12th round in 2019, he has primarily played as a reliever in the minors, with only a few starts at lower levels.
This season, Strowd has pitched 116 2/3 innings across Double-A and Triple-A, sporting a 5.55 earned run average. Despite some challenges with control, evident from an 11.9% walk rate, he has managed an impressive 29.1% strikeout rate and generated ground balls on nearly half of the balls in play.
At Triple-A this year, his performance has been mixed. He has pitched 10 innings with an 8.10 ERA, influenced by a .481 batting average on balls in play and a 36.1% strand rate—both of which suggest he’s faced some tough luck. However, he has still managed to strike out 36% of batters, all while keeping his walk rate at 8%.
The Orioles have had a busy pitching schedule lately. Recent rain delays led to a packed series of games, exhausting the bullpen. With Wolfram pitching on consecutive days and potentially unavailable, Strowd’s fresh arm is a timely addition. However, his stay may be temporary, as the team lacks a starter for their next game, and Kyle Gibson is on the taxi squad, according to Jake Rill of MLB.com.
This shift in the roster not only speaks to the team’s current needs but also highlights the evolving landscape in baseball. In today’s game, data analytics plays a crucial role. For example, teams now monitor pitcher performance closely to make real-time decisions about roster changes. With an evolving pitching strategy, fresh talent like Strowd might be just what the Orioles need to secure a win.
As fans and analysts track Strowd’s debut, they’ll be watching to see if he can turn around the season for himself and contribute to the Orioles’ future. The combination of recent stats, team dynamics, and an eye on past performances will be key in shaping his role in the big leagues.
Image courtesy of Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images
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