Kremer carrying key improvements into 2023 season

BALTIMORE -- Manager Brandon Hyde didn’t hesitate when asked to name the Orioles player who made the biggest improvements on the field in 2022. He quickly named right-hander Dean Kremer.

Kremer was hit hard in 2021, when he allowed 45 earned runs in 53 2/3 innings. But he was confident he would get better this season.

“That’s part of the competitor that is inside me and each and everyone of the guys in here no matter what [happened] the year before,” Kremer said. “It’s like, ‘OK, how do I get better from here?’”

Kremer figured it out this year. He ended the season on a positive note, despite losing to the Blue Jays, 5-1, in a rain-shortened game at Camden Yards on Monday night. The game was called with two outs in the top of the eighth inning after a 55-minute rain delay. Kremer ended the season 8-7 with a 3.23 ERA.

“Kremer definitely comes to mind with how far he has come the last couple of years,” Hyde said. “Dean kind of sticks out for me. He was going to break camp this year as a back-end piggy back.

“He had a tough year the year before, and then all of a sudden, he was winning games in the AL East and pitching extremely well. He was a nice rotation piece for us this year, and we are excited about him going forward. I love the steps that he took this year.”

When Kremer came to Spring Training in March, Hyde noticed he had a good mindset.

Kremer said the most important thing was not backing down from anybody that stepped in the batter’s box -- no matter what their name was or who they played for.

“I think that was the biggest difference, other than the stuff,” Kremer said.

There’s more to the story, according to Hyde. All four of Kremer’s pitches -- fastball, cutter, changeup and curveball -- improved, and he was able to throw them for strikes. His fastball velocity was up, and he learned how to pitch. Kremer's curveball was also a factor this season.

“He learned how to pitch more, and [he] was able to execute a lot better this year,” Hyde said. “I’m excited about going to Spring Training with him next year.”

Kremer's best work was against the Astros on Sept. 23. He pitched a shutout and struck out six batters. But Kremer admits he wants to sharpen his skills even further.

“I’m always going to be chasing velocity,” he said. “I’m always going to be chasing [things] like getting my stuff better, executing better, just like every other guy. We are just trying to trend upwards.”

There is another reason Kremer should be overjoyed going into next season. He will pitch for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic in March.

“I’m super excited. I’ve played for the National Team for a handful of years previously,” he said. “I played in the last WBC. Any time I get to represent my country, it’s a really fun experience.”