Baltimore Orioles: Will Asher stick around in Birdland?

Alec Asher, RHP for the Baltimore Orioles, got his first start of the season Saturday afternoon in Toronto.

Earlier this afternoon, the Baltimore Orioles called upon 25-year-old right-hander Alec Asher to make his first start of the season. Asher joins the Orioles after a trade from the Philadelphia Phillies at the end of the spring.

As mentioned in yesterday’s blog, Asher had pitched 4.1 scoreless innings last Monday, and with his career 3.36 ERA in the minors, he was able to earn the start today.

Asher brings a two-seam cut fastball, a change-up, slider, and curveball to compliment his on-average 91-mph four-seam fastball. Asher did a good job of mixing those pitches in today’s outing against the Toronto Blue Jays.

Against the Jays, Asher pitched into the sixth, recording one out and allowing one earned run on three hits. He threw 93 pitches, 59 strikes. Donnie Hart replaced him in the sixth after he hit Jose Bautista and allowed a one-out single to Troy Tulowitzki.

A string of quality starts by Baltimore Orioles starting pitchers.

Asher’s start today was the third consecutive quality start by an Orioles starter. A quality start, as defined here by MLB.com, is when a starter goes at least six innings and allows three earned runs or less.

For the Orioles starters coming into today’s game, they’ve registered a 4.41 ERA in 49 innings through nine games. Asher’s performance today has dropped that to 4.08.

Kevin Gausman got the streak going on Thursday night against the Jays. Gausman pitched six innings, allowed one earned run and five hits. He fanned three and walked two over 97 pitches-63 strikes.

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Wade Miley continued the streak last night. Miley also went six innings, while allowing three earned runs. He gave up five hits and struck out eight Blue Jays batters. The more interesting number from Miley’s start is that he did not walk anybody, after walking seven in his previous start against the New York Yankees.

Are the Baltimore Orioles going to keep Asher in the rotation?

One outing is not enough to assume how a season will turn out, but it inevitably raises expectations slightly. With today’s outing in Toronto, Asher has earned another go-round in the starting rotation.

As reported here by Roster Resource, Asher is listed as the probable starting pitcher Friday night in Baltimore against the Boston Red Sox. Left-hander, Drew Pomeranz will oppose him.

Remember, Chris Tillman is still on the disabled list and as reported by MASN reporter Steve Melewski on Twitter, could return as earlier as May 2.

When Tillman returns, someone will be removed from the starting rotation. If Asher finds himself replicating today’s performance, there’s no doubt in my mind he’ll stick around.

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