For the fourth time in 2024, a Baltimore Orioles‘ prospect is set to make their MLB debut. Chayce McDermott will take the mound against the Miami Marlins.
Brandon Hyde announced the move following a 6-3 series opening loss in Miami.
“[Chayce] McDermott is going to start tomorrow,” Hyde told reporters on July 23. “We’ve got to figure a lot of things out at this point.”
McDermott is Baltimore’s number seven prospect, according to MLB.com. No corresponding move has been made to make room for the rookie on the 40-man roster.
He’d joined the team previously on the taxi squad. McDermott will start the second game of the series, and Corbin Burnes will start for the series finale.
The 25-year-old righty is 3-5 in 2024 with the Triple-A affiliate Norfolk Tides. McDermott has pitched 91 innings, allowed 10 home runs, and thrown 129 strikeouts.
He’ll be the second Orioles’ pitching prospect to debut this season. Cade Povich started seven games in his debut MLB stint before being optioned prior to the All-Star break.
Baltimore’s Pitching Staff Banged Up
An injury-trodden pitching staff took another hit in the series-opening loss to the Marlins.
Albert Suarez exited the game in the third inning after taking a 102 mph ball from Otto Lopez to the shin.
Hyde told reporters after the game that the pitcher has been diagnosed with a shin contusion. “Suarez, it’s a shin contusion,” Hyde told reporters on July 23. “He should be fine.”
Optimism aside, it’s another injury to a Baltimore pitching staff that can’t afford another.
Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells are all lost for the season with injuries. Top reliever Danny Coulombe is out until at least September with an elbow injury of his own.
Suarez left the game having thrown only two innings. He gave up 6 runs on 8 hits. But if he ends up missing time, McDermott’s debut takes on greater implications.
Orioles Actively Seeking Pitching Trades
The MLB trade deadline is July 30. Baltimore is among the most active teams exploring deals for new pitchers.
Three names have consistently surfaced as targets for the Baltimore front office ahead of the deadline.
Jon Heyman of the New York Post linked the Orioles to Mason Miller and Tanner Scott on July 18.
“But even if the Orioles’ more obvious need is the rotation, they are in touch on big relievers, including two All-Stars — ex-Oriole Tanner Scott and even the 103.7 mph-throwing Mason Miller,” Heyman wrote.
Miller is considered the better talent. The 25-year-old closer is an All-Star in his second MLB season, thrown 39.2 innings and recorded 70 strikeouts. Miller holds a 2.27 ERA.
Scott, who played for Baltimore from 2017 to 2021, is also amid an All-Star campaign. He’s pitched 40.1 innings, recorded 45 strikeouts, and holds a 1.24 ERA.
USA Today’s Bob Nightenglae reported on July 21 that the Orioles are pursuing a deal for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal.
“The Detroit Tigers are engaged in talks with the Baltimore Orioles and Dodgers for Skubal,” Nightengale wrote.
Skubal is among the best starters in the majors, pitching 116 innings in 2024, throwing 140 strikeouts and holding a 2.41 ERA.
It seems a matter of when, not if, Mike Elias and the Baltimore front office swing multiple deals for pitchers. Doing so successfully should give the Orioles all they need to make a World Series run.
McDermott’s debut could end up playing a factor into those trade deadline plans. As would an injury to Suarez.
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Orioles’ No. 7 Prospect to Make MLB Debut vs Marlins: Report