The Orioles selected Kade Strowd in the 12th round of the 2019 draft. The West Virginia product became Rule 5 eligible after the 2022 season, but Baltimore did not feel any pressure to protect the reliever. Strowd reached Double-A Bowie in 2023, but the O’s got away with leaving the Mountaineer off the 40-man roster once again.

The reliever continued to work his way up the system while gaining a reputation as a high-strikeout, high-walk pitcher. Strowd pitched to a 6.80 ERA over 37 Triple-A games in 2024, but the front office deemed it necessary to protect Strowd from the Rule 5 draft anyway. The righty struck out 60 batters over those 37 appearances, and his walk rate dropped as the season unfolded.

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Strowd began the season with the Tides but received an early call at the end of April. He returned to Norfolk without making his major league debut but received another opportunity at the end of May. Strowd allowed two hits and one run in his MLB debut against Washington, but the O’s sent him right back to Triple-A after that.

The righty made a pair of appearances at the end of June, but he quickly found his way back to the Norfolk shuttle. Finally, once Baltimore’s front office dealt several relievers, the Birds had no choice but to provide Strowd an extended opportunity in the bullpen.

Strowd proceeded to rattle off a string of 22 impressive outings. He ended the season with a 1.71 ERA and 1.101 WHIP over 25 appearances. He emerged as one of the most trustworthy relievers in a ragtag bullpen, and he transitioned from an afterthought to a front runner for a roster spot next season.

Strowd brought the strikeouts to Baltimore, but he mostly left the free passes in the past. Aside from one three-walk outing against San Diego, Strowd only issued six walks in his final 19 appearances. He never allowed more than one earned run in a game, and he continued to gain confidence as the season came to an end.

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Over a four game stretch at the end of September, Strowd struck out nine batters in only four innings. His 3.29 FIP sat higher than his 1.71 ERA, but the now 28-year-old rose to the occasion during his first true major league test.

Baltimore’s depleted bullpen provided Strowd a chance to work in high-leverage opportunities. The righty quickly earned the trust of Tony Mansolino, and he gained valuable experience pitching in close games down the stretch.

Strowd throws a cutter, a four seamer and a sinker all above 90 MPH while mixing in a curveball and sweeper. He relies on the cutter just over 40% of the time, but the other options keep hitters on their toes. Strowd worked as a starter at West Virginia, but he’s pitched out of the bullpen throughout his time in the Orioles system.

The Orioles need to add multiple relievers this offseason. Strowd projects to make the team with the currently constructed roster, but he shouldn’t be the first man out when the Birds add from outside of the organization either.

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Strowd still holds two minor league options. The options will provide Baltimore some always needed roster flexibility over a 162-game season. They’ll also provided Strowd a chance to work out some kinks if the walk rate spikes again.

There’s some sample size concern, but Strowd looks like a pitcher that finally saw things click. At a minimum, he’s a player that will have another opportunity in 2026. The Orioles bullpen lacked talented young pitchers with options at the beginning of last season, but Strowd will have a chance to grow with the O’s in 2026.

Tomorrow: Félix Bautista