Baltimore Orioles: Late-inning bullpen options in Minor Leagues

By Nate Wardle | May 11, 2017

May 10, 2017; Washington, DC, USA; Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Brad Brach (35) throws to the Washington Nationals during the ninth inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

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The Baltimore Orioles’ bullpen is short-handed, between working with only six people and also having one of the best closers in the game, Zach Britton, on the disabled list.

To be honest, the Baltimore Orioles have a lot of back-end of the bullpen experience as it is.

Brad Brach, who has been designated the Orioles’ unofficial closer, has now saved 11 games in the majors. Eight of those in 2017, two in 2016 and one in 2015. Brach has appeared in 19 games in 2017 and has allowed eight runs, which is not great, leaving his ERA at 3.79. Those 19 games appeared in is the most in the major leagues.

Brach also saved 120 games in the minor leagues, so he certainly has the experience.

So, while Brach is a workhorse, maybe being a major league closer doesn’t fit him well. Are there other late-inning options the Orioles have?

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Darren O’Day is the second closer as Buck Showalter plays matchups and who is available.

O’Day has 19 saves in his career, never having more than six in one season. Those six came in 2015 when O’Day was an All-Star. O’Day is currently carrying a 5.02 ERA, the second highest of his career. However, that is a bit deceiving, as most of those runs were in his first few appearances. O’Day has appeared in 15 games so far for the Birds.

O’Day has a total of 39 saves as a minor leaguer.

Mychal Givens is a power arm that many believe is a future closer. So far, he has a 2.00 ERA in 16 appearances in 2017, and a career 2.64 ERA.

Givens has a total of 21 saves in the minor leagues, including 15 at AA Bowie before he was promoted to the Orioles in 2015. Givens does not have a save as a major leaguer.

Givens doesn’t have a lot of experience closing, but he has the stuff and demeanor to make him a successful closer.

Donnie Hart is the other current bullpen option who could make for a closer. His sidearm delivery is funky and would be a different look for hitters.

Hart also has a 1.23 career ERA in the major leagues and has become someone that is starting to be used against both right and left-handed hitters. He has also appeared in 16 games in 2017.

Hart does not have a major league save to his credit, but did save 26 games in the minor leagues for the Orioles before being promoted to the Orioles.

So, four viable candidates in the major leagues. Is there anyone else though?

In the minor leagues, four pitchers would be intriguing options as closers.

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