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Baltimore Orioles: Five inexpensive pitchers the Orioles should target

By Ben Palmer

Mar 30, 2016; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Tyson Ross against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 30, 2016; Peoria, AZ, USA; San Diego Padres pitcher Tyson Ross against the Seattle Mariners during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jul 30, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (30) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 30, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi (30) throws a pitch during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Nathan Eovaldi – 9-8, 4.76 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 7.00 K/9

I know, that stat line doesn’t look particularly special, but trust me, Nathan Eovaldi still has a lot of potential.

The Orioles wouldn’t be able to expect anything out of him next year, as he’ll miss the entire season due to Tommy John surgery, but he’s only 26 and averaged a career-high 97 mph on his fastball last year.

He also had a career-best chase rate of 31.1% last year, and a career-best 9.3% swinging strike rate. His bane was home runs, he had a ridiculous 18.7% HR/FB rate, more than double of the previous season’s rate and an obvious fluke.

His walks are a little high, as evidenced by his WHIP and 7.6% walk rate last season, but the kid throws an incredible fastball. With proper rehab and some development Eovaldi could turn into a solid starter, and he wouldn’t be that expensive for the Orioles to acquire.

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