2026 Stats: 4 GS, 0-2, 5.49 ERA, 1.63 WHIP, 10 BB, 21 K, 19.2 IP
Expectations: During his last fully healthy season in 2023, Kyle Bradish had a 2.83 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 168 strikeouts in 168.2 innings to finish fourth in AL Cy Young voting. His follow-up performance was cut short by Tommy John surgery, which sidelined him until last August, but he was lights out upon returning, with a 2.53 ERA and 47 strikeouts in 32 innings. That return to form likely contributed to the Orioles lack of prioritizing a top-of-the-rotation addition during the offseason.
Reality: The O’s settled for Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt as their biggest rotation additions, banking on full seasons of Bradish and Trevor Rogers elevating the staff to another level. Instead, they rank 20th in the majors with a 4.27 ERA from their starters. Bradish has allowed 22 hits and 12 earned runs in 19.2 innings. His 3.21 FIP suggests some positive regression is coming, but relying on him for frontline production may have been a misstep.
