Baltimore Orioles: 2014 Season Grades – Starting Pitchers

Oct 14, 2014; Kansas City, MO, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Kevin Gausman (39) throws a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning in game three of the 2014 ALCS playoff baseball game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

Everyone knows Kevin Gausman, barring injuries, will be a great pitcher for the Orioles in years to come. He is not there yet, but he is on the way.

Guasman improved his ERA from 5.66 in 48 innings last year to 3.57 in 113 innings this year. His record was 7-7, and his WHIP is higher than the other starters we’ve looked at today at 1.315 … but it is not always going to be this way. When he learns to pitch like Gonzalez, while still maintaining a high 90s fastball, the O’s are going to have a definite ace.

The Orioles were actually just 8-12 in Gausman’s 20 starts this year. There is a learning curve still in the works, but there is no reason to not see the brightest of futures for this young man.

Among Kevin’s best learning experiences of 2014 was pitching in long relief in both playoffs series. Combined he gave up just one run in eight innings on only four hits and two walks. If all the O’s pitchers did that, we’d be still writing about current Orioles baseball.