Orioles 2022 #27 Prospect Chayse McDermott

[Tony-OH]

Chayce McDermott
Throws: RHP
Age (as of Jun 30th): 23
2022 Level: A+/AA

Bio: Acquired in the Trey Mancini deal from Houston, this 23-year old right-hander can miss bats, but his command has a long way to go. The Ball State product brings a 92-96 MPH fastball that has good life and carry in the zone and he gets his fair share of swing and miss on it up in the zone. He offsets that with two different breaking ball, a 76-80 MPH curveball and a 84-87 MPH slider. Of the two, the slider is the better pitch but he struggles to command the pitch and it has inconsistent break. When it’s on, it’s a true strike out pitch. The change is his 4^th offering and can flash average movement at times, but it’s a very inconsistent pitch as well.

McDermott gets above average swinging strike percentage (17.1%) and K/9 (13.1/9) but those numbers have come down as he’s gone up the ladder as the more mature hitters don’t chase at much. Due to the arm strength and repertoire, he’s been developed as a starter, but he doesn’t throw nearly enough strikes and it takes him a lot of pitches to get through four and five inning stints against minor leaguers. This all suggests a move to the bullpen should be in his future, and at 24-years old next season, it might be best to make that conversation sooner than later.

McDermott’s stuff could play up in a relief role where his lack of command won’t be as big of a factor. The 6-3 right-hander could potentially move quickly in a relief role and has the stuff to be a high leverage reliever if he can get his stuff over more consistently. He’ll most likely start the year in Bowie (AA) but it will be interesting to see what role they try and develop him at this stage of his career and age.