Wells: Starting is 'one of the most important things to me'

NORTH PORT, Fla. -- Opportunity is all a big leaguer can ask for, and that’s likely what Tyler Wells will have to start the season for Baltimore.

An eye-opener in the first half of 2023 before he was sent to the Minors and brought back for bullpen duty late in the year, the 6-foot-8 righty is all but penciled into the Orioles' starting rotation due to injuries to Kyle Bradish and John Means.

In his first outing of 2024 in the Orioles' 3-1 win over the Braves on Friday afternoon, Wells faced the minimum over two innings of work. After surrendering a leadoff single, Wells got Jarred Kelenic to ground into a double play and retired Austin Riley on a grounder to second to end the inning. In the second, three consecutive batters flew out to Anthony Santander in right.

“The number one goal for me today was to go out there and throw strikes, compete and just continue to stay healthy,” said Wells, who tossed 23 total pitches (17 strikes). “I think it’s a good way to start off Spring Training and kind of set pace for the year.”

Wells experienced immense success to start the season last year, holding opponents to a .193 batting average in the first half -- the third-best mark in franchise history (min. 100 innings).

It wasn’t until after the Midsummer Classic that Wells began to fade and was optioned to get some rest, having surpassed his previous career high in innings (103 2/3). He returned to the club out of the bullpen in September and was serviceable in a relief role, appearing in all three games of the ALDS versus Texas.

This offseason, Wells said getting in the best shape he could was top priority. He hopes his hard work parlays into a successful year, and even more important to him, reliability.

“That was a big goal for me this offseason -- to just really make sure that I get in the best shape possible,” Wells said. “I want to be able to make 35 starts this year. I want to be able to go out there and accumulate a lot of innings and be part of the staff and reliable for the guys. I think, for me, that's just kind of how I built my offseason to be like. So far so good. Feeling really good. Feeling really strong. I’m just looking to carry that throughout the season.”

Now being propelled into a rotation spot, the mindset of being a starter is something Wells said he’s always had and will continue to fine tune. He’s talked to Orioles “workhorses” Corbin Burnes and Kyle Gibson on how to be the best version of himself.

“I've always kind of had the starter mindset, and that's what I trained my body for this offseason,” Wells said. “Obviously [Bradish and Means] are my friends, and it sucks that they’re injured, but at the same time too, I’m gonna go out there and keep my mindset consistent.”

On opening the 2024 campaign in the starting rotation, Wells said: “It’s one of the most important things to me right now. For me, each year, I want to be someone who is reliable. I want to be reliable for the organization. I want to be reliable for making every fifth-day start. Going out there and giving a quality start each and every time. That’s always my goal. A lot of it is just trial and error and making sure your body gets prepared for it. It’s really hard to figure out how to do it if you’ve never done it. And I want to do it, and I’m in the process of figuring that out.”

On Wells’ start, skipper Brandon Hyde said: “I thought he threw the ball outstanding. Good changeups. Throwing a ton of strikes. A ‘Tyler Wells’ outing for me. Great tempo.”

O'Hearn's bat breaks out
First baseman Ryan O'Hearn had a solid day at the plate, going 2-for-3, including a two-run double off the right-center-field wall in the third inning.

Not having to fight like he did a year ago to find his spot on the roster, O’Hearn said he’s certainly preparing as if nothing is promised.

“I’m trying to keep that sense of urgency. I'm excited to know I’m going to be on the team and have a role, but trying to keep that sense of urgency.”

“I’m just trying to get my feet underneath me, get locked in, get my swing right, and I feel like today was a good step in that direction.”

Hyde remarked: “He’s a middle-of-the-order bat for us [and] had a great season last year,” Hyde said. “He was a huge contributor for us. We’re looking for him to do that again.”