Orioles' Chayce McDermott: Looking healthy in spring
Rotowire
McDermott (back) has struck out 10 over 6.2 scoreless innings while allowing five hits and three walks over three appearances in Grapefruit League play.
McDermott finished the 2023 campaign on Triple-A Norfolk's injured list due to a back strain, but he reported to spring training at full health and has turned some heads with his performance thus far. The 25-year-old right-hander is ticketed for a return trip to Norfolk to begin the 2024 season, but he should rank high on the list for a call-up if the Orioles' rotation depth is tested at any point.
McDermott was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Norfolk on Sept. 16 with a back strain, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.
The International League's championship is next week, so this may mean the end of McDermott's minor-league season. The 25-year-old righty logged a 2.49 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, 31.2 percent strikeout rate and an 11.7 percent walk rate in 50.2 innings across 10 appearances for the Tides after tossing 68.1 innings at Double-A earlier in the year. McDermott hasn't had a walk rate below 11 percent in the upper levels of the minors, which could result in him eventually ending up in the bullpen. However, he's got a solid three-pitch mix in his 94-mph fastball (touches 96 mph), high-spin curveball and low-to-mid-80s slider, so if he can cut the walks slightly, he could get a look in the big-league rotation sometime next year.
The Orioles promoted McDermott from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com reports.
Coming out of the upcoming All-Star break, McDermott will be debuting with the Orioles' top affiliate after an impressive 14-start run at Double-A to begin the 2023 campaign. Over 68.1 innings with Bowie, McDermott submitted a 3.56 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 88:44 K:BB.
... See More... See Less
Orioles' Chayce McDermott: Traded to Baltimore
Rotowire
McDermott was traded from the Astros to the Orioles on Monday as part of a three-team trade that sent Trey Mancini to Houston and also involved the Rays, Jeff Passan of ESPN.com reports.
McDermott has 59 strikeouts over his last 34 innings in the minors, but he also has 26 walks and a 7.68 ERA over that stretch. A 6-foot-3 righty who turns 24 in a few weeks, McDermott has loud stuff, but his struggles at High-A portend that he may fit best in the bullpen long term.
