Meet the New Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles traded starting pitcher Dylan Bundy to the Los Angeles Angels. In return, the Orioles received four pitching prospects from the Angels. In two separate deals, the Orioles have traded two of their better players for what can be described as less than top prospects.
Jonathan Villar was traded to the Miami Marlins ironically in a salary dump for left-handed pitcher Easton Lucas. The four players the Orioles acquired from the Angels in the Bundy trade are Isaac Mattson, Kyle Bradish, Kyle Brnovich and Zach Peek.
Easton Lucas
Easton Lucas is a left-handed pitcher who was drafted in the 14th round of the 2019 Major League draft out of Pepperdine University. In four seasons at Pepperdine, Lucas went 10-11 with a 4.29 ERA and a 1.267 WHIP. Lucas struck out 145 batters in 172 innings in 44 games, 30 as a starting pitcher.
Lucas throws four pitches but scouts expected his stuff to be better. His fastball is in the 88-92 MPH range. Lucas has an above-average slider and an average curveball and changeup. At Single-A Aberdeen Lucas went 0-2 with a 3.98 ERA and a 1.105 WHIP. Lucas struck out 40 batters in 31 and two-thirds innings across 12 appearances, nine of them starts.
Orioles general manager Mike Elias described Lucas as follows:
“We like his stuff. He’s 89-92 [mph] with a fastball that has some hopping life to it. He’s got two distinct breaking balls [with] a slider and curveball that have a chance to be average pitches. I think our pitching program, in particular, can help him with that. And he’s got a real nice change that plays well to right-handed hitters. … I think bringing in a young pitcher like Lucas into the fold is exactly what we’re trying to do and makes sense for our future objectives.”
Isaac Mattson
Isaac Mattson is a right-handed pitcher who was drafted in the 19th round of the 2017 Major League draft. Mattson played three seasons at the University of Pittsburgh. At Pitt, Mattson had a record of 4-1 with a 3.47 ERA and a 1.063 WHIP. In 96 innings pitched he struck out 109 batters in 60 games with only one start.
In 2019 Mattson has worked his way up from Single-A to Triple-A. His combined stats are 6-3 with a 2.82 ERA and a 1.009 WHIP. In 73 innings Mattson struck out 110 batters in 37 games all as a relief pitcher. With the lack of depth the Orioles have at the major league level Mattson could be in the majors in 2020.
Mattson fastball is clocked in the low 90’s and he has an above-average curveball. Mattson does need to work on his changeup.
Kyle Bradish
Kyle Bradish 23, is right-handed and was drafted in the fourth round of the 2018 major league draft out of New Mexico State University. In three seasons at New Mexico State, Bradish went 25-8 with a 3.51 ERA and a 1.342 WHIP. Bradish pinched in 272 innings and struck out 311 batters across 49 games 46 of them starts.
In 2019 Bradish pitched at Single-A and went 6-7 with a 4.90 ERA and a 1.416 WHIP. Bradish pitched 101 innings and struck out 120 batters across 24 games 18 of them starts.
Bradish throws a 92-93 MPH fastball that tops out at 95 and at times has some cutting action. He also throws a curveball that has the potential to be better. However, Bradish needs to work on his changeup. Despite being mainly a starting pitcher Bradish projects to be a good relief pitcher.
Kyle Brnovich
Kyle Brnovich 22, was drafted in the 8th round of the 2019 major league draft out of Elon University. In three seasons at Elon, Brnovich went 21-10 with a 2.75 ERA and a 1.100 WHIP. Brnovich struck out 360 batters in 281 innings across 44 games with 43 starts. Brnovich’s 360 career strikeouts at Elon is second to Justin Verlander’s 427.
Brnovich has an unusual delivery. He has a late hip rotation which gets his arm through but he does throw strikes. He has good arm speed with a fastball in the 88-92 MPH range. Brnovich’s slider is his out pitch that generates a lot of swings and misses. He does mix in a changeup at times. Brnovich’s delivery does suggest he will be better suited out of the bullpen but he should be given a chance to start.
Brnovich did not pitch or the Angels in 2019.
Zach Peek
Zack Peek 21, was drafted in the 6th round of the 2019 major league draft out of Winthrop University. In three seasons at Winthrop, Peek went 18-9 with a 3.84 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. Peek appeared in 52 games 33 as a starter and struck out 231 batters in 232 innings pitched.
Peek stands at 6 foot 3 and weighs 185 pounds. The right-handed pitcher’s fastball can reach the mid 90’s but his rage is 90-93 MPH. Peek also throws an 11 to 5 curveball and a change-up. Peek has a clean and loose delivery and projects to get bigger physically. He does have a history of throwing strikes with his solid three-pitch mix.
Peek did not pitch for the Angels in 2019.
