The Baltimore Orioles called up top pitching prospect Trey Gibson from Triple-A Norfolk ahead of their game against the New York Yankees on Saturday. He will start on Sunday afternoon, with the Orioles hoping to avoid being swept. Manager Craig Albernaz told reporters before their 9-4 loss to the Yankees about the move. Gibson’s promotion also follows a flurry of moves around the Orioles pitching staff, including designating veteran bullpen arm Albert Suarez for assignment.
“The biggest thing with Trey is we just want him to be Trey,” Albernaz told reporters, including MLB.com. “It’s going to be a fun day for him, and I just want to tell him when I see him to embrace the moment, have some fun with it.”
It was unclear whether the move is a permanent promotion for Gibson or whether it’s a spot start following a doubleheader on April 30.
Orioles Pitching Prospect Trey Gibson Called Up: What He Offers
Before his reported promotion, Gibson pitched to a 2-2 record over six starts and 24.2 innings pitched and a 4.01 ERA. He has struggled with some location and command issues, sporting 12 walks and three home runs, but striking out 25 batters. His WHIP, despite a small sample size, ballooned to 1.62 from 1.21 in 2025.
Orioles pitching prospect Trey Gibson is en route to New York to join the club’s taxi squad, per source. @afkostka was first.
Gibson is the Orioles’ No. 1 prospect, according to Baseball America.
— Jacob Calvin Meyer (@jcalvinmeyer) May 2, 2026
Gibson’s Baseball Savant scouting report grades his slider at 60, with a 55-ranked fastball and curveball. Scouts noted his power-pitcher profile with a high-90s fastball and a strong slider mix, though there were some concerns about his control. At the same time, they noted his development was affected by the shortened 2020 draft and a suspension from Liberty University’s baseball program in 2023.
#Orioles RHP Trey Gibson in his MiLB career:
58 G, 239.0 IP, 3.99 ERA, 96 BB, 311 SO, 1.26 WHIP
Gibson, the O’s #1 prospect (per Baseball America), won the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year award in 2025 and will make his MLB debut tomorrow ?pic.twitter.com/RrPlKsuoMm
— Charm City Connection 2.0 (@8OriolesFan8) May 2, 2026
There is some work to be done for Gibson’s overall profile, especially with keeping hard-hit contact down. A deep dive into his 2026 profile shows someone who could have a solid floor, though his upside might be limited. The 23-year-old ranks average in walk and strikeout percentage, chase rate, whiff rate, and barrel percentage. Gibson’s four-seam and slider combo, however, gets high marks for keeping batting averages under the Mendoza line and a strong whiff rate. He has a developing sweeper pitch that, unfortunately, is getting swatted around with a .359 opposing average and a 83% hard-hit rate.
The Orioles Need Trey Gibson’s Debut Badly
Baltimore is in desperate need of solid pitching, as most of their rotation is either struggling or injured. Both Trevor Rogers and Dean Kremer are on the 15-day injured list, and trade acquisition Shane Baz is tossing a 4.50 ERA with only 29 strikeouts in 34 innings. Even the return of Kyle Bradish isn’t helping the team, as he holds a 4.20 ERA and three home runs over 30 innings.
Their bullpen is actually doing well, with Anthony Nunez and Rico Garcia leading the team in ERA, WHIP, and other statistical categories. Baltimore, however, doesn’t have Ryan Helsley or Yaramil Hiraldo to turn to. Gibson could stick around as a bullpen option, but as a starter, it could be short-lived.
The team is 15-18 as of May 2nd, holding a team ERA of 4.39 and a 1.437 WHIP. Baltimore is also expected to promote pitchers Nestor German and Levi Wells at some point before the end of the 2026 season.
Main Photo Credit: © Ron Schloerb/Cape Cod Times / USA TODAY NETWORK
