The Baltimore Orioles are still looking around the market for another piece to complete their rotation. It’s a familiar story: a young, talented team, but lacking a leader. A true ace. A name that the entire league should be wary of.
Framber Valdez looks great on paper. But the “baggage” he carries gives the Orioles reason to hesitate. Justin Verlander is more suited to front office, but for fans, it’s a safe bet—not a statement of strength. Internal options have also been mentioned: Shane Baz was brought in at a hefty price; Trevor Rogers, if he can replicate his 2025 form in a 30-start season, would be a surprising answer.
But there’s one name that’s been largely overlooked. Not because he’s incompetent—but because he’s been gone long enough for people to forget how dangerous he once was.
Kyle Bradish.
Tommy John’s June 2024 era erased him from many people’s radar. Over the past two seasons, Bradish has only thrown a total of 71.1 innings. Enough to be forgotten. But in the rare instances he’s stepped onto the mound, what he’s accomplished is anything but “ordinary.”
Considering the period surrounding his injury and his return, Bradish threw 14 starts with an ERA of 2.65, a FIP of 2.48, and a 2.5 fWAR. His strikeout rate was 34.6%—super elite. His walk rate was only 8.7%. Opponents shot .192 ahead of him. And more importantly: those numbers were consistent before and after his injury, not a sudden burst of activity over a short period.
That’s not magic. That’s the hallmark of a sustained profile.
Going back to 2023—the only season Bradish truly completed a starter’s workload—the picture is even clearer: 168.2 innings, ERA of 2.83. A strikeout rate of 25% coupled with a ground-ball rate of 49.1% (top 20% MLB) and a walk rate of only 6.6%. Three core elements of an ace: missed bat, limited free passes, and keeping the ball on the ground — Bradish possesses all three.
When a pitcher combines above-average strikeout, a low walk, and a high grounder, his ceiling isn’t “solid No. 2.” It’s front-line starter. And at 29, entering his second year after surgery, theory suggests Bradish should be stronger, not weaker.
Of course, health remains the key. For any pitcher who’s just gone through Tommy John, the question isn’t “talented enough?” but “can he hold his own?”. But if Bradish does manage that — if he’s on the mound consistently — the Orioles might realize a somewhat uncomfortable truth:
They’ve been searching for an ace everywhere… while that ace is recovering right in his own home.
This doesn’t mean Baltimore should stop looking for pitching. They shouldn’t. But it changes the perspective. Instead of “having to buy an ace,” the Orioles can shift to “protecting and optimizing their ace.” That’s vastly different in terms of cost, risk, and long-term structure.
Kyle Bradish isn’t loud. No headlines. No market drama. But if 2026 is the year he’s truly healthy, the Orioles could wake up mid-season and realize: the leader they craved has been there all along—just needed time to return.
And sometimes, the biggest upgrade isn’t a new signing.
It’s when an old player finally returns to his true form.
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