The Baltimore Orioles have made multiple moves in order to improve the organization before the trade deadline on July 30th. One of the most recent has been with the Tampa Bay Rays. The Orioles received right-handed starting pitcher Zach Eflin in exchange for three of their minor leaguers: Jackson Baumeister, Matthew Etzel, and Mac Horvath.
Zach Eflin
Eflin is a solid veteran pitcher with playoff experience, which is just what the Orioles need. In 2023, the 30-year old was a Cy Young contender, and ended up finishing sixth. This season, his record is 5-7 with an ERA of 4.09 in 19 games pitched. He has pitched 110 innings and has struck out 87. Opponents are batting .261 against him.
Eflin spent seven seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies before playing with the Tampa Bay Rays for a season and a half. His contract is through the 2025 season, so it’s possible he is a strong addition to the Orioles both this year and next.
Jackson Baumeister
Baumeister pitched for Florida State University for two seasons. In his sophomore season, his ERA was 5.09 through 69 innings pitched. He was then signed by the Orioles on July 25, 2023 in the second round of the draft and was the 63rd overall pick.
He spent the first half of the 2024 season with the High-A Aberdeen Ironbirds. His record was 1-3 with an ERA of 3.06. He pitched 18 games and 70.2 innings, allowing 53 hits, 24 earned runs, and striking out 91. Baumeister will soon report to the Rays’ High-A affiliate, the Bowling Green Hot Rods.
Matthew Etzel
Etzel was drafted by the Orioles in the 10th round of the 2023 draft. The left-fielder bats left-handed and throws right-handed. Etzel played on both the High-A Aberdeen Ironbirds and AA Bowie Baysox in the 2024 season. He played 51 games with the Ironbirds, batting .306 with a .857 OPS. The 22-year old was then promoted to the Baysox, where he played 32 games, batting .261 with a .729 OPS.
In the 2024 season overall, Etzel is batting .289 in 301 at-bats. He has six home runs, 47 runs batted in, and 41 stolen bases. Etzel will play for the Rays’ AA affiliate, the Montgomery Biscuits.
Mac Horvath
Horvath played both third base and outfield for University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In his junior season, he hit 24 home runs and stole 25 bases. Horvath was drafted by the Orioles in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft and was the 53rd overall pick.
In his first season, he played for the Florida Complex League Orioles, the Delmarva Shorebirds, and the Ironbirds. This year, he played with the Ironbirds the whole time, averaging .232 over 271 at bats. He hit nine home runs, had 41 runs batted in, and stole 26 bases. His OPS was 745.
Horvath will join Eflin on the Bowling Green Hot Rods for the second half of the season.
The Orioles hope Eflin will be the strong starting pitcher they need to provide them with more playoff experience. Best of luck to these players as their careers continue to develop.
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