These two prospects are just one call away

This story was excerpted from Jake Rill’s Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

SARASOTA, Fla. -- Chayce McDermott and Cade Povich are each “a phone call away” from the big leagues entering the 2024 season.

That was the message delivered to the Orioles’ top two pitching prospects by manager Brandon Hyde last Wednesday, when McDermott and Povich were reassigned to Minor League camp. Both will be reporting to Triple-A Norfolk next week, but that’s not because of how they pitched during Spring Training.

“I was really impressed with those guys. They threw the ball great, and we have really high hopes for them,” Hyde said. “They just need a little bit more Triple-A experience. But they’re getting really close, and they know it, and how they’ve thrown this spring opened up a lot of eyes on the Major League staff.”

McDermott (Baltimore’s No. 9 prospect) tossed 6 2/3 scoreless innings over three Grapefruit League appearances. The right-hander’s most impressive outing occurred March 10, when he struck out six over three scoreless frames vs. the Blue Jays in Dunedin.

Acquired from the Astros in the three-team Trey Mancini trade in August 2022, McDermott wasn’t in big league camp in ‘23, when he was still getting acclimated to his new team.

“Last year was almost just trying to get my feet under me in the organization after being traded the previous year,” McDermott said. “Last year was just getting to know people and stuff.”

The Orioles’ rotation is already a bit banged up, with right-hander Kyle Bradish (right UCL sprain) and left-hander John Means (left elbow recovery) set to open the season on the injured list. The team still has a solid staff, with the five spots likely going to ace Corbin Burnes, Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, Tyler Wells and Cole Irvin.

If another injury occurs -- or a spot opens in some other way -- McDermott would be in strong consideration to be promoted from Triple-A Norfolk. The 25-year-old reached the highest Minor League level for the first time last year and recorded a 2.49 ERA In 10 games (eight starts).

Povich’s numbers were not as strong in his first taste of Triple-A last year. The left-hander -- who was acquired from the Twins in the Jorge López trade in August 2022 -- had a 5.36 ERA in 10 starts, although he racked up 53 strikeouts in 45 1/3 innings.

Last year, Povich was a Spring Training standout while in big league camp for the first time. This time around, he was even more impressive, posting a 1.29 ERA in seven innings over three outings. He also started the Spring Breakout exhibition, allowing two runs (one earned) in three innings vs. Pirates prospects.

“Definitely a lot of good stuff to build on,” said Povich, the O’s No. 10 prospect. “I kind of got used to it, got a couple under my belt, got the nerves away a little bit.”

Baltimore’s farm system is again ranked No. 1 by MLB Pipeline this year, but that’s largely because of the position-player talent. The pitching prospects go a bit more under the radar.

However, there are plenty of talented arms in the Orioles’ Minor League ranks, including McDermott, Povich, Seth Johnson (No. 11), Trace Bright (No. 17), Luis De León (No. 18), Jackson Baumeister (No. 19) and Justin Armbruester (No. 21).

“These guys are all really, really unique, and I think that’s what separates guys in the big leagues, is what kind of uniqueness they have and how they leverage that to get guys out on a consistent basis,” first-year pitching coach Drew French said. “I do feel like it’s a bit underrated.”

McDermott and Povich may not qualify as “underrated” once they arrive in the big leagues, if they fulfill their high potential. And it may not be too long before they get their chance.

“The right thing to do for them is get some more Minor League innings at this point,” Hyde said, “and hopefully, they can help us sometime this year.”