Baltimore Orioles Make Controversial Roster Move With Top Prospect
![Aug 17, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Cade Povich throws a pitch. Aug 17, 2024; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles pitcher Cade Povich throws a pitch.](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_3600,h_2025,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/ImagnImages/mmsport/inside_the_orioles/01j5kvsgbg8v4vs2pm9r.jpg)
On Saturday, Baltimore Orioles rookie Cade Povich delivered one of the best starts of his young career. He logged a career-high 6 1/3 innings against the Boston Red Sox, yielding just two runs on six hits and no walks. He also matched his career-high in strikeouts with six, earning a standing ovation at Camden Yards in the process.
Unfortunately for Povich, the Orioles still lost, 5-1. Even worse, they rewarded him for his stellar outing by immediately sending him back to the minor leagues, continuing the questionable management of their young talent.
Baltimore announced on Sunday that it had optioned Povich back to Triple-A Norfolk and was calling up right-handed pitcher Colin Selby to replace him.
This is another tough break for Povich, who's struggled in his first taste of the big leagues. The 24-year-old rookie is 1-6 with a 5.77 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP in nine starts this year, only two of which have come since the All-Star Break as he's lost playing time.
We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/snL9DPpKka
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 18, 2024
Still, it will be tough for Povich to gain confidence and build on Saturday's gem back in Triple-A, where he's 6-1 with a 3.48 ERA and a 1.11 WHIP. While there's no denying that Povich needs more polish, he also needs more big-league experience to realize his abundant potential.
Unfortunately, that will have to wait. The Orioles haven't needed their No. 5 prospect as much since trading for Zach Eflin last month, filling a much-needed hole in their rotation. He'll likely be back up before the end of the season, perhaps when rosters expand in September.
Selby adds a fresh arm to Baltimore's bullpen in the meantime, but he doesn't seem like much of an upgrade over Povich. The 26-year-old righty had a 6.00 ERA in two appearances with the Kansas City Royals this season and has an 8.67 ERA in 27 career innings. Accordingly, he'll likely be used in low-leverage spots by Brandon Hyde for now.
Selby may not last long if his struggles continue, however, potentially opening the door for Povich to return in the near future.