Introduction

The Baltimore Orioles are a team on the rise. Over the last several seasons, the Orioles have embraced a rebuilding phase with a focus on cultivating homegrown talent, and their pitching staff has been one of the most significant areas of improvement. As we approach the 2025 MLB season, two rookie pitchers have emerged as potential contributors to the Orioles’ pitching staff: Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall. Both pitchers have shown glimpses of brilliance in their minor league careers and have the tools to make an immediate impact at the major league level. In this article, we will dive into their journeys, their pitching arsenals, and the potential roles they could play for the Orioles in 2025.

Grayson Rodriguez: The Ace of the Future

Grayson Rodriguez has long been regarded as one of the top pitching prospects in baseball. Born in Texas, Rodriguez was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the first round of the 2018 MLB Draft (11th overall). From the moment he was drafted, he was seen as a potential future ace for the organization. As a tall right-hander with a dynamic arsenal, Rodriguez has the type of stuff that major league hitters fear.

The Journey to the Majors

Rodriguez’s rise through the minors has been rapid but also filled with challenges. In his first full season of professional baseball in 2019, he showcased his talent at the High-A level, striking out 161 batters in just 113.2 innings while posting a 2.68 ERA. However, it wasn’t until 2021 that Rodriguez truly made a name for himself, pitching at Double-A and Triple-A while continuing to dominate. That year, Rodriguez posted a combined 2.36 ERA and 13.3 strikeouts per nine innings (K/9) across 24 starts.

His fastball is regarded as one of the best in the minor leagues, consistently reaching the upper 90s and touching 100 mph. Combined with a devastating slider and a developing changeup, Rodriguez’s stuff is major league-ready. In fact, his ability to miss bats is one of his defining traits. Rodriguez struck out a career-high 158 batters in 2022 before making his major league debut with the Orioles.

Pitching Arsenal

Rodriguez’s fastball is his most valuable weapon. With an average velocity in the high 90s, the pitch can reach triple digits and features excellent ride through the strike zone, making it a potential weapon against both right- and left-handed hitters. The fastball is complemented by a sharp slider that generates swing-and-miss contact, particularly against hitters on the chase. His slider has earned praise for its late movement and effectiveness in generating strikeouts.

Rodriguez also boasts a developing changeup that, when fully refined, could give him another weapon to neutralize left-handed hitters. While his changeup is still a work in progress, it has shown flashes of becoming a reliable offering that will keep hitters off balance.

The 2025 Outlook

Heading into 2025, Rodriguez is one of the key pieces of the Orioles’ pitching staff. After a brief taste of the majors in 2022 and 2023, he has the opportunity to claim a spot in the rotation for the full season. His velocity and ability to generate strikeouts make him a potential ace for the Orioles, and if he can improve his control and consistency, Rodriguez could easily develop into a frontline starter.

The biggest challenge for Rodriguez will be to stay healthy and avoid the injury concerns that have plagued some of his peers in the past. In 2023, Rodriguez missed some time with a muscle strain, which ultimately delayed his major league debut. However, if he remains healthy and continues to develop his command, there’s a good chance that Rodriguez will be a key contributor to the Orioles’ pitching staff for years to come.

DL Hall: The Lefty with Electric Stuff

DL Hall is another highly touted pitcher in the Orioles’ system who has the potential to make a major impact in 2025. Like Rodriguez, Hall was drafted by the Orioles in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft (21st overall). While Rodriguez has been a more consistent presence in the minors, Hall’s career has been a bit more turbulent, with injuries and command issues hindering his progress. However, when healthy and on his game, Hall possesses one of the most electric arsenals in all of baseball.

The Journey to the Majors

Hall’s journey has been one of flashes of brilliance interrupted by setbacks. He is a tall, athletic left-hander with a fastball that sits in the mid-to-high 90s and can touch 100 mph on occasion. His fastball, combined with a dynamic curveball and a developing changeup, made him one of the most exciting prospects in the Orioles system.

Hall’s ability to generate strikeouts has never been in question. Over his minor league career, he has averaged 12.2 strikeouts per nine innings, which is a testament to the raw stuff he possesses. However, control issues have been a consistent problem. His walk rate has often been elevated, which has led to higher pitch counts and shorter outings.

In 2021, Hall began to get his command under control, and his stock in the Orioles’ system began to rise. He made several starts for the team at the major league level in 2022 and showed potential, but the walk issues persisted. He was then sent down to the minors in 2023 to continue refining his command.

Pitching Arsenal

Hall’s fastball is his most dominant offering. Sitting in the mid-90s and touching 100 mph, it has excellent velocity and movement, making it a difficult pitch to hit for left-handed and right-handed hitters alike. His fastball’s ride through the strike zone gives it swing-and-miss potential, especially when he’s able to locate it effectively.

His curveball is another pitch that sets him apart from other pitchers in the Orioles’ system. Hall’s curve is sharp and features significant break, often making it unhittable when it’s on. The pitch has the ability to generate whiffs and weak contact, and it pairs well with his fastball to keep hitters off balance.

Hall’s changeup is still a work in progress but shows potential. When he can consistently locate it, the pitch adds a layer of deception, particularly against right-handed hitters. Hall will need to continue working on his changeup and command to make his arsenal truly elite at the major league level.

The 2025 Outlook

Heading into 2025, Hall’s potential is tantalizing. His fastball and curveball are both plus-plus offerings, and if he can command them consistently, Hall has the chance to be a frontline starter for the Orioles. However, control will remain his biggest obstacle. He will need to improve his ability to locate pitches, particularly in high-leverage situations, to be effective at the major league level.

If Hall can make strides with his command, he could be a significant contributor to the Orioles’ rotation in 2025. It’s possible that Hall may start the season in the bullpen, where his electric stuff could provide an immediate impact as a high-leverage reliever. However, if he proves that he can control his pitches over the course of a full season, he could work his way into the rotation and become a key member of the Orioles’ pitching staff.

The Orioles’ Pitching Development System: A Foundation for Success

Both Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall are products of the Orioles’ revamped pitching development system, which has received widespread praise in recent years. Under the guidance of pitching coaches and player development staff, the Orioles have significantly improved their ability to develop pitchers from within their system.

The key to the Orioles’ success in developing pitching talent has been their emphasis on improving command and teaching pitchers how to efficiently attack the strike zone. While Rodriguez and Hall have always had the raw talent, the Orioles’ coaching staff has worked hard to refine their mechanics, improve their pitch selection, and help them develop consistency.

As both pitchers continue to progress in 2025, the Orioles’ commitment to player development will be crucial in ensuring that they reach their full potential. With the right coaching and continued progress in their command and consistency, Rodriguez and Hall could be cornerstones of the Orioles’ pitching staff for years to come.

 The Future is Bright

The Baltimore Orioles are building something special, and much of that future will be determined by the success of their young pitchers. Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall represent the future of the Orioles’ pitching staff, and both have the potential to make an impact in 2025.

Rodriguez, with his powerful fastball and excellent strikeout ability, is poised to take on a front-line role for the Orioles, potentially becoming an ace for the team in the near future. Hall, on the other hand, has the raw stuff to become a dominant force on the mound, though his success will depend largely on his ability to harness his control.

As the Orioles continue their rebuild and look to return to playoff contention, Rodriguez and Hall are two key pieces in the puzzle. If they can meet their potential, the Orioles’ pitching staff could quickly become one of the most formidable in the league, and these two rookies will likely be at the forefront of that transformation. The 2025 season could be the year that both Rodriguez and Hall take the next step in their careers and help lead the Orioles back to prominence in Major League Baseball.