Orioles Should Be Extremely Concerned About Slow Start for Starting Pitcher

The Baltimore Orioles have had a long history of developing solid starting pitchers, but in 2025, a growing concern has surfaced about the performance of one of their key pitchers. The slow start to the season for this starting pitcher has many within the Orioles’ organization and fanbase worried, and for good reason. A shaky beginning to the year could signal deeper issues that might not only derail his individual season but also have a lasting impact on the team’s overall pitching strategy and postseason aspirations.

Starting pitchers are often considered the backbone of any successful Major League Baseball team. They set the tone for the games, often eating up innings, and can either dominate opposing offenses or find themselves in trouble early. The Orioles have relied on a relatively young but talented starting rotation in recent seasons, with several arms showing promise. However, when one of the key pitchers to the team’s success stumbles early on, it can send ripples through the entire staff.

In this article, we will delve into why the Orioles should be extremely concerned about the slow start for this particular starting pitcher, what factors may be contributing to his struggles, and how the Orioles can try to right the ship as they look to recover from an early-season setback.

The Importance of a Strong Starting Rotation

Before diving into the specifics of this individual’s struggles, it’s important to take a step back and understand why starting pitching is so critical in the modern game of baseball. The starting rotation sets the tone for the entire pitching staff. A strong starter can help carry a team through difficult stretches of the season, prevent bullpen fatigue, and keep a team in games. Conversely, a struggling starting pitcher can quickly lead to a snowball effect of stress on the bullpen, an increased reliance on hitting to bail out the pitching staff, and potentially more losses.

The Orioles, with their impressive offensive lineup and solid bullpen, have been a competitive team over the past few seasons. However, starting pitching remains one area where the team has always needed to improve if they wanted to become true contenders. In 2025, many were hopeful that the team’s rotation would be solidified with an ace-caliber arm – someone to anchor the staff and carry the team through the marathon of a 162-game season.

When that arm struggles from the outset of the season, it raises red flags. A slow start for a starting pitcher is not just about a few bad outings – it could indicate that there are deeper issues at play, whether mechanical, physical, or mental.

The Slow Start: What’s Gone Wrong?

As the 2025 season unfolded, it was apparent that this particular pitcher was not the same as he had been in the previous year. The early signs were subtle, but they quickly became impossible to ignore. The Orioles’ ace, or what was supposed to be their ace, was not pitching with the same command and confidence that had made him a valuable part of the rotation in 2024. Instead, he was struggling with command, giving up extra base hits, and failing to go deep into games.

In his first few outings, the pitcher’s ERA climbed steadily, and his strikeouts were down while his walks were up. While the early part of the season can often be a period of adjustment, these troubling trends raised a red flag. For a starting pitcher expected to anchor the rotation, such struggles can be hard to overlook. The Orioles had envisioned this pitcher as the centerpiece of their rotation, a player capable of leading the team to contention, but his performances were raising more questions than answers.

The pitcher’s slow start had several signs of concern:

1. Increased Walks: One of the first red flags for this starting pitcher was his inability to find the strike zone with consistency. He struggled with his control, issuing walks at an unusually high rate. This put extra pressure on his defense and forced him to work harder to escape jams.
2. Lack of Swing and Miss Stuff: In addition to his struggles with control, the pitcher wasn’t missing bats as often as he had in the past. His strikeout rate was down significantly, which meant hitters were making more contact. This, in turn, led to more base runners and a higher likelihood of giving up runs.
3. High Pitch Counts: Due to his struggles with control and the inability to put hitters away, his pitch counts climbed early in games. This resulted in shorter outings and put more strain on the bullpen. A starting pitcher who is unable to pitch deep into games not only becomes a liability on the mound but also forces the rest of the pitching staff to pick up the slack.
4. Home Runs Allowed: A hallmark of a great starting pitcher is the ability to keep the ball in the park. Unfortunately for this pitcher, his slow start included a noticeable increase in home runs allowed. Home runs are often the product of leaving pitches up in the zone or making mistakes in hitters’ counts, both of which seemed to be plaguing him early in the season.

What Might Be Contributing to the Slow Start?

There are many possible reasons why a starting pitcher may experience a slow start to the season. While the early season can often be a time for pitchers to shake off the rust, it’s important to consider several factors that might be contributing to this specific pitcher’s struggles.

1. Mechanical Issues: One of the most common reasons pitchers struggle is due to mechanical flaws in their delivery. A small change in mechanics can have a significant impact on a pitcher’s command, velocity, and ability to get outs. Whether it’s a change in arm angle, timing, or a misstep in the windup, mechanical problems can often explain why a pitcher suddenly loses control or velocity.
2. Injury Concerns: Another concern is the possibility of lingering injuries that might be affecting the pitcher’s performance. Whether it’s shoulder, elbow, or back pain, injuries often don’t show their full effects until later in the season. It’s possible that the pitcher is dealing with some discomfort or an injury that is preventing him from performing at his best.
3. Mental Hurdles: Baseball is as much a mental game as it is a physical one, and any number of mental factors can contribute to a slow start. Pressure to live up to expectations, a slow start affecting confidence, or frustration with repeated mistakes could all be factors affecting the pitcher’s performance. The mental aspect of the game is often overlooked, but it plays a major role in how pitchers approach their craft.
4. Changes in Mechanics or Pitch Arsenal: It’s also possible that the pitcher has made adjustments to his mechanics or pitch arsenal, whether intentionally or unintentionally, that are causing him to struggle. If he is trying to add a new pitch or make a mechanical tweak, it may take time to fully adjust. The Orioles coaching staff will need to work closely with the pitcher to determine whether such changes are affecting his performance.
5. External Factors: Weather, travel schedules, and early season rust can all contribute to a slow start. Baseball players often face difficult schedules early in the season, and sometimes the cold weather can have an adverse effect on pitchers, especially those who rely on grip or movement of the ball.

What Should the Orioles Do to Address This Concern?

The Orioles cannot afford to sit back and hope that this starting pitcher figures it out on his own. Given the importance of starting pitching in a competitive American League East division, the Orioles will need to take swift action to address the slow start and try to get the pitcher back on track.

1. Immediate Mechanical Adjustments: If the struggles are mechanical, the Orioles’ pitching coaches will need to work closely with the pitcher to iron out any flaws in his delivery. This may involve video analysis, bullpen sessions, and consultations with the team’s coaching staff. Often, it’s just a small tweak that can help a pitcher rediscover his rhythm.
2. Possible Rest or Skip a Start: If there are concerns about an underlying injury or fatigue, it might be wise for the Orioles to give the pitcher a little extra rest. Skipping a start or using him out of the bullpen temporarily could provide the time needed for him to recover physically and mentally.
3. Mental Health Support: Addressing mental aspects is just as important as addressing physical issues. If the pitcher is struggling with confidence or the pressure of high expectations, the Orioles’ coaching staff could work with mental skills coaches to help him regain his composure. Baseball is a mental game, and finding the right mental approach could be the key to his success.
4. Lineup Support: While the pitching staff has been shaky, it’s up to the Orioles’ offense to help ease the pressure. If the starting pitcher struggles early, a strong offensive performance can keep the team in games and take some of the pressure off the mound.

The Pressure Is On

A slow start from a starting pitcher can be a huge concern for any team, but it is especially worrisome for a club like the Orioles, who are striving for success in a competitive division. As the season progresses, the Orioles will need to closely monitor this pitcher’s progress and make adjustments as necessary. If they can help him regain his form, it could go a long way in ensuring their postseason aspirations remain intact.

The pressure is on the Orioles to figure out what is causing this pitcher’s struggles and to find a solution. If they can do so, they will be able to rely on one of their best arms moving forward, allowing their offense and bullpen to work more effectively as they aim for a successful 2025 season. But if the issues continue, the Orioles may need to make hard decisions about their starting rotation. Only time will tell if they can turn this slow start into a turning point or if it will become a lingering issue.