The Athletic: How the Orioles’ Kyle Bradish became the ace of the AL’s best team

[Moose Milligan]

https://theathletic.com/4857726/2023/09/13/orioles-playoffs-kyle-bradish/

 

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Bradish, 27, wasn’t a top prospect. His career was never preordained. A fourth-round draft pick out of New Mexico State, the right-hander was one of four players traded by the Angels to the Orioles for Dylan Bundy. When Bradish walked off the mound with those unsightly numbers last June, there was no guarantee he’d get more starts. Some teams might have moved on.

But changes to his mechanics and additions to his pitch selection have helped unlock the potential the Orioles always saw in him. And now, Bradish is primed to play a huge role in Baltimore’s first postseason appearance in seven years.

 

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“I’ve always thought I was able to do this,” he said. “I’m confident enough in my ability and my stuff to be able to go out there and throw a quality start every time. I think taking that mindset into this year has helped me in just doing what I’ve been doing.”

Bradish started working on and adding in his sinker after going on the IL last season. He now throws it nearly 20 percent of the time, compared to 4 percent last year. As a result, his four-seam fastball usage is down from 44 percent in 2022 to 24 percent this year.

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In the minor leagues, getting guys out with the fastball was easier. Bradish could mask some deficiencies with stuff and talent. Making these changes was a byproduct of needing new tools. He started utilizing his slider heavily when throwing 8 2/3 scoreless innings against the Astros last season, and hasn’t looked back.

“From there, it was kind of like, ‘Well, this is my best pitch and I can throw it most often,’” he said. “And adding that sinker just paired really well with the slider. I was able to keep guys honest inside.”

Bradish has also fixed up his mechanics. His motion is less over the top and his head doesn’t dive out of the way when he throws. Both were problems he knew he always had, though he had been able to get away with it. Both became causes of missing his spots on a regular basis.

Bradish now almost exclusively pitches out of the stretch, which he copied from watching Brewers ace Corbin Burnes. He knew there was a lot of inconsistency in his motion. So he just scrapped it. He also moved closer to the first base side of the rubber.

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“The things that he’s worked to improve with his delivery, in terms of his timing and body control, they can contribute to deception,” said Orioles pitching coach Chris Holt. “As far as his consistency with his delivery this year, it’s been much more consistent than in the past.”

 

[Can_of_corn]

Crazy how even a fourth round prospect is extremely self confident in their ability.

Turns out a taste of failure can be a good thing.

[Moose Milligan]

22 minutes ago, Can_of_corn said:

 

Turns out a taste of failure can be a good thing.

Sounds like you know from experience.

[Can_of_corn]

2 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

Sounds like you know from experience.

I've been watching you post for years.

[Moose Milligan]

1 minute ago, Can_of_corn said:

I've been watching you post for years.

I'm here to lead by example.

[Just Regular]

Its interesting seeing the Corbin Burnes mention.    Obviously his sense of attachment to his Club could go up or down depending how October goes, but there's the possibility Milwaukee would be stretched financially when both Burnes and Woodruff get up closer to Yelich's number in their final Arb 2024 seasons.

He'd be one of the best 1-year options if the Brewers do any top of the deck dealing.

My highest hopes for Bradish are Burnes adjacent as fellow 4th rounders who pulled $400-500k coming off campus.    Organizations can end up all over the map outcomes wise from that kind of starting point.    Both Stearns and now also Elias front office teams are enjoying some great results.

 

[btdart20]

Basically, the same hopes we saw with the sinker toward the end of last season can to fruition.  

[Moose Milligan]

3 hours ago, btdart20 said:

Basically, the same hopes we saw with the sinker toward the end of last season can to fruition.  

IIRC he's pitched to something like a 3.00 ERA since August of last year or something. 

Edited September 13, 2023 by Moose Milligan