Kevin Gausman threw six and one third innings against the powerful Texas Rangers. He shut down a team that had scored 18 runs in the previous three games. Gausman is still not at his full potential, which is why it’s time for him to join the O’s rotation.
While he hasn’t been perfect, Gausman has proven in his two starts this season, that he can battle against any offense. He held the Toronto Blue Jays to only two runs in his last start, and gave up nothing to the Rangers. Even though he’s proven he can be in the rotation, Gausman keeps being sent up and down between AAA Norfolk. In order for him to reach his full potential, Gausman needs to pitch every fifth day for the Orioles.
It’s not like the O’s have five starters who are just dealing right now either. While Wei-Yin Chen and Ubaldo Jimenez continue to pitch well, Chris Tillman, Miguel Gonzales, and most notably, Bud Norris, are struggling to find their groove. Gonzales and Tillman seem to be safe in the rotation, but I think Norris’s time is up.
I’m not saying the Orioles should get rid of him, but with an ERA of 6.79, he should no longer be in the rotation. I think the bullpen is a great place for Norris. The Orioles currently have a short six man bullpen. Once second baseman Jonathan Schoop comes back, another position player will likely be designated for assignment or traded. The Orioles can’t stay with a short bullpen, so Norris joining the bullpen will give the O’s someone, who in a one or two inning role, can probably reach into the mid-nineties with his fastball. A similiar transformation to the one of Tommy Hunter could happen with Norris.
Another option, is to trade Bud Norris. The problem with that is, I don’t know who’d want him the way he’s been pitching. You can’t forget how well Norris did last year for the Orioles, but you also can’t continue to let him pitch the way he has been.
Kevin Gausman is hopefully the Orioles future ace, but for that to happen, he needs to stay in the majors and join the rotation. Let him pitch his way into his ace potential.