The Baltimore Orioles showed some massive improvement last season, finishing with their first winning season since 2016. As they look to improve on that, they have decided to call up their top pitching prospect on Tuesday.
Grayson Rodriguez, the 23-year-old starting pitcher, was expected by many to be named to the Orioles’ Opening Day roster. He was a surprising omission, but it didn’t take long for the organization to call him to the big league club.
Andy Kostka of The Baltimore Banner first reported that Rodriguez is being called up to the Major League team. He will join the Orioles for their game on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers.
Grayson Rodriguez, Baltimore’s top-ranked pitching prospect, is on his way to join the Orioles on Wednesday in Texas, two sources with direct knowledge of the situation told The Baltimore Banner.
— Andy Kostka (@afkostka) April 4, 2023
He is expected to make his debut in a truly fascinating matchup on Wednesday against the Texas Rangers and star pitcher Jacob DeGrom.
Baltimore is calling up right-hander Grayson Rodriguez, the No. 12 prospect in baseball, per @kileymcd, and he will make his big league debut tomorrow against Jacob deGrom, sources tell ESPN. Rodriguez's arrival, first reported by @GeoffPontesBA, is another big move for the O's.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 5, 2023
Rodriguez has been on the radar of many MLB fans for years now. He is ranked by MLB.com as the seventh-best prospect in baseball, only behind No. 1 ranked infield prospect Gunnar Henderson in the Orioles organization.
Many took notice of this move by Baltimore and are certainly very excited to see his debut on Wednesday.
Break out the radar guns tomorow if the matchup does come to pass. Grayson Rodriguez vs. Jacob deGrom. And Grayson would make his MLB debut in his home state, grew up an Astros fan.
— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) April 5, 2023
an emergency call up is still a call up. unfortunate we had to get here with bradish getting hurt but glad we're here https://t.co/rTu9mT5nwB
— jonbernhardt.bsky.social (@jonbernhardt) April 5, 2023
Congratulations to Grayson Rodriguez on learning everything he needed to before being called up in one (1) Triple-A start. https://t.co/X3wofMj2rs
— Kate Feldman (@kateefeldman) April 5, 2023
Grayson Rodriguez’s Statcast data from his first 2023 start on a soggy Friday in Durham.
Touched 99.5 mph on the fastball. Curveball was most effective at getting called strikes/whiffs. Bet the changeup will be more effective moving forward, and he didn’t lost confidence in it. pic.twitter.com/WUHqYs3Wrr
— Sam Dykstra (@SamDykstraMiLB) April 5, 2023
Debuting tomorrow? Against deGrom?? And its a good start time for me??? 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥 https://t.co/j1KwAT2pj5
— Mario Delgado Genzor (@DeGenZGZ) April 5, 2023
This Baltimore Orioles team is undoubtedly the most talented in recent memory, with several bright young players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Cedric Mullins leading the charge offensively.
Rodriguez profiles to be a future top pitcher for the Orioles and could become the missing piece for the team to become a contender.
