Kyle Bradish, a former Angels prospect, had a strong outing against his former team during Baltimore’s 3-1 win at Camden Yards. Bradish allowed only one run over a season-high 6 2/3 innings, giving up four hits, including a leadoff homer to Mike Trout in the fourth. Bradish has been effective in his past two outings, lowering his ERA from 5.95 to 3.90. He has allowed three or fewer runs in all but one of his seven starts, with his rough April 25 appearance vs. the Red Sox beginning to look like even more of an anomaly. Bradish’s ability to throw strikes early in counts and to avoid falling behind to hitters has been the biggest key to his success.
Bradish’s recent production has provided a boost to an Orioles rotation that has been getting better outings of late after a bit of a slow start to the season. Through the first nine contests of this season-long 10-game homestand, seven starters have allowed three or fewer runs in an outing. Baltimore’s rotation ERA is still at 4.96 (10th in the American League), but it’s on a descent. Bradish’s aggression has led to far fewer « non-competitive pitches, » according to Orioles manager Brandon Hyde. Early in his MLB career, the righty had too many offerings that were so far out of the zone that hitters weren’t tempted to chase. That’s no longer an issue.
Despite Bradish’s ties to the organization on the opposing side, the 26-year-old said there wasn’t anything special or unique about this starting assignment. It was just another trip to the mound. Bradish only had one year with the Angels, but he made some really good friends that he still talks to. Bradish’s recent success has been a continuation of the second half of his 2022 rookie campaign, when he posted a 3.28 ERA over his final 13 starts. The Angels once hoped to develop Bradish into a frontline starting pitcher, but his time in the organization wasn’t long. Eighteen months later, Bradish was among the four pitchers the Halos traded to acquire right-hander Dylan Bundy from the Orioles.
Keywords: Kyle Bradish, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Angels, MLB, pitching, ERA, rotation, strikeouts, fastball.
