As has been the case for the last five years, the Baltimore Orioles desperately need starting pitching. Currently, they are first-place team ranking 28th in starter’s ERA and innings pitched, 23rd in strikeouts, and 25th in opponents batting average. Astonishing.
The failure to address this area of need year after year has ultimately hurt the franchise’s success in the long run.
Acquiring Wade Miley yesterday was a step in the right direction, but more has to be done to fortify a subpar staff.
With that said, Dan Duquette needs to find a way to get Vince Velasquez to Baltimore. In 18 starts for Philadephia, the 24-year-old right-hander is 8-3 with a 3.32 ERA while recording 108 strikeouts in 97.2 innings pitched. Long story short, he solves virtually every aforementioned problem.
Additionally, the youngster is team control contract through 2021. He will not only be a short-term solution but rather a long-term answer as well. Expect the O’s to hop in as a sleeper and eventually strike a deal for Velasquez.
