Baltimore Orioles Pitcher Seen as Sleeper Candidate for AL Rookie of the Year

In the competitive world of Major League Baseball (MLB), the American League Rookie of the Year (ROY) race is often dominated by flashy hitters or top prospects who are expected to perform at an elite level right out of the gate. However, every year, a handful of players emerge from unexpected places to challenge the favorites. One such candidate, who has flown under the radar for many but is gaining recognition as a potential sleeper pick for the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year award, is a pitcher from the Baltimore Orioles organization.

This pitcher, who has defied expectations and showcased an impressive blend of talent, poise, and resilience, could very well become one of the surprise stars of the season. While the spotlight often shines on hitters, particularly in today’s era of offensive explosion, pitchers have been known to steal the ROY award from time to time, and the Orioles’ young arm could be primed to make such a run.

The Rise of the Orioles

Before delving into the specifics of this sleeper pitcher, it is essential to understand the context of the Baltimore Orioles’ resurgence as a competitive MLB franchise. For years, the Orioles struggled to rebuild their roster, but with a strong emphasis on player development and a growing farm system, the team is finally beginning to see the fruits of its labor.

The Orioles’ front office, led by General Manager Mike Elias, has placed significant emphasis on scouting, analytics, and building from within. This approach has begun to pay off, with a wealth of young talent emerging across multiple positions. The 2023 season saw the Orioles make a surprising playoff appearance, and they are now widely considered a team on the rise in the AL East, a division traditionally dominated by powerhouses like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox.

The key to this success lies in the mix of emerging stars such as Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and the pitching staff, which has slowly but surely begun to show promise. It is within this pitching staff that the sleeper candidate for AL Rookie of the Year can be found.

The Sleeper Candidate: A Rising Pitcher

At the heart of the Orioles’ pitching evolution is a young pitcher who, despite not garnering as much media attention as his peers, has put together a campaign that is hard to ignore. This pitcher, who has developed under the Orioles’ improved developmental system, could very well end up being a dark horse in the Rookie of the Year race.

Early Career and Development

The pitcher in question was drafted by the Orioles in the early rounds of the MLB Draft, but it wasn’t until his time in the minors that he began to gain attention. His first few years in the minors were filled with steady, but unspectacular performances. What stood out, however, was his ability to command the strike zone, a skill that would later define his success in the big leagues.

Under the guidance of the Orioles’ coaching staff, particularly their pitching development team, the young arm honed his repertoire. He worked tirelessly on his fastball command, developed a devastating breaking ball, and most notably, improved his changeup—an often overlooked but vital pitch for many pitchers. This growth wasn’t just about improving his pitch arsenal; it was about refining his mental game. The Orioles’ farm system places a strong emphasis on not just physical development but also mental fortitude, which helped this pitcher adjust to the challenges of facing more advanced competition.

By the time he made his way to the major leagues, he was seen as a bit of a wildcard. His stuff was impressive, but questions about his consistency and whether he could handle MLB hitters on a regular basis persisted. Despite the skepticism, he was called up to the Orioles’ roster in 2025, and he hasn’t looked back since.

Mechanics and Stuff: What Sets Him Apart

What separates this young pitcher from many of his peers is his unique combination of velocity, pitch movement, and command. Though he doesn’t have the electric, overpowering stuff that gets scouts and fans alike excited, he has a much more refined skill set.

The fastball, while not the hardest in the league, has good late life, particularly up in the zone, which allows him to generate swings and misses or weak contact. His breaking ball, a sharp slider, has become a go-to pitch that can keep hitters off balance. But the most impressive aspect of his game is his changeup. Rarely seen as a pitch for pitchers in their early years, the changeup has been a key factor in his early success. Its movement and velocity differentiation from the fastball make it an extremely effective weapon, especially when used to get ahead in counts.

Control and Command: A Key to Longevity

One of the most noticeable aspects of this pitcher’s game is his exceptional control. In a league where walks can kill pitchers’ success, he has displayed an ability to avoid unnecessary free passes. His walk rate, especially in comparison to his strikeout rate, is exceptional. This control allows him to keep his pitch count down, enabling him to go deeper into games, and in turn, make a greater impact on his team.

Moreover, his command of the strike zone is often a step ahead of most rookies. He’s not just throwing strikes—he’s placing pitches exactly where he wants them. Whether it’s keeping a fastball on the outside corner, dropping a slider into the low-and-away spot, or burying a changeup in the dirt, his ability to execute pitches has been a crucial part of his success.

These traits are invaluable, particularly for a rookie in a high-pressure division like the AL East, where hitters are known for their power and consistency. Rather than trying to overpower hitters, this pitcher understands the importance of strategy and is learning quickly how to adjust to different hitters’ weaknesses.

A Strong Start to the 2025 Season

When he made his MLB debut, many observers were curious to see how he would fare against the higher level of competition. Early on, the pitcher showed flashes of brilliance but also experienced some growing pains. However, as the 2025 season progressed, it became increasingly clear that he was settling in and becoming a reliable option for the Orioles’ pitching staff.

By midseason, he had become one of the team’s most dependable starters, even drawing comparisons to some of the more established pitchers in the league. His ability to pitch effectively against AL East teams, many of which have potent offenses, has been particularly impressive. He’s pitched well against teams like the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Tampa Bay Rays, further solidifying his place in the rotation.

Despite not being one of the top names in the rookie conversation, he has made a strong case for the ROY award through his consistent performance. His ERA has remained below 3.50, and his WHIP has been consistently solid, highlighting his ability to limit baserunners. His ability to go deep into games has also allowed the bullpen to remain fresh, a vital asset for a team like the Orioles that hopes to contend for the playoffs.

Competing with the Favorites

In a year where many of the top Rookie of the Year contenders are position players, the competition for the award is stiff. Some of the most hyped rookies are hitters, including a few top prospects who were expected to make immediate impacts. However, as is often the case in baseball, the true Rookie of the Year candidates may not always be the most obvious names.

Despite the stacked competition, this Orioles pitcher has carved out a niche for himself. While his name may not be on the tip of everyone’s tongue, his sustained success through the first half of the season is undeniable. His consistency, poise, and ability to perform under pressure are qualities that stand out to baseball writers, analysts, and voters alike.

Though he is not the favorite for the award, his trajectory is certainly worth monitoring. If he continues his strong performance and the Orioles push for a playoff spot, he could become one of the top names in the Rookie of the Year conversation by season’s end.

 The Sleeper to Watch

In the high-stakes world of Major League Baseball, it’s easy for young pitchers to slip under the radar. While many fans and analysts focus on the hitters, it’s clear that this Baltimore Orioles pitcher has the potential to surprise and steal the spotlight as a sleeper candidate for the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year award. With a combination of a polished repertoire, outstanding control, and the ability to adapt on the fly, he’s set to be a key player for the Orioles moving forward.

As the season progresses, it will be interesting to see if this sleeper pitcher can continue to make a case for himself and, in doing so, become one of the breakout stars of 2025. If he can maintain his early success and keep his performance at a high level, the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year race could become much more competitive than anyone initially expected.