A lot of what I write along with my MLB power rankings has to do with storylines around the game, but I thought I’d keep it local week. I want to compliment lefty Cole Irvin for how he has handled this most recent indignity — essentially being benched as a starter — as a true team-first guy.
That is rare in this day and age, when so many ballplayers have a “what’s in it for me” attitude. Irvin, acquired ahead of the 2022 season for notable infield prospect Darell Hernaiz, was thought of a potential consistent No. 3 or 4 starting pitcher — some might even say a No. 5.
But what Irvin did manage to do in Oakland was put together 2021 and 2022 campaigns in which he threw 178.1 and 181 innings. Obviously, that what was most attractive about adding him to a mostly unproven 2023 rotation.
But after only three starts — consisting of an awful 12.2 innings with a 10.66 ERA — Irvin was unceremoniously optioned down to Triple-A Norfolk. When he came back to the big leagues, Irvin seemed to be the last guy the manager had any real faith in.
But from June 10 and on last season, Irvin did anything manager Brandon Hyde asked of him and in fact did it pretty well. Irvin made 20 appearances (nine starts), posting a 3.22 ERA in 64.1 innings. During that span, he had a 1.13 WHIP and struck out 55 batters.
This year, he came back in even better shape and seems to have added a bit more velocity to his bag. He has made seven starts to date. The first two looked a lot like his first three starts last year. His third start only lasted 4.2 innings, but he allowed just two earned runs. In his next four starts, he allowed just two runs, one home run, three walks and 15 hits in 25.2 innings. He had an ERA and WHIP of 0.70 during that stretch.
What does he get as a reward for a job well done? Irvin was scheduled to start against the Blue Jays on May 15, but a rainout the day before meant the Orioles skipped his start and moved him to the bullpen for the Mariners series.
That allowed John Means to stay on his regular day to pitch. This is the same Means — and don’t make this into me being nasty to him — who threw a total of 31.2 innings in 2022 and 2023.
I am not trying to turn Irvin’s resume into Sandy Koufax, but my goodness, why mess with him when he was showing signs of being on a roll?
The most major league innings Means has ever thrown is 155 back in 2019. Grayson Rodriguez’s return also figured into why Irvin was bumped from the rotation, at least for the time being. He threw 122 big league innings a year ago. Kyle Bradish threw 168.2 innings last season, but with what’s gone on to date this year, the club would be thrilled to get 125-130 from him this year. Dean Kremer threw 172.2 innings in 2023.
The Orioles consistently have to get nine or more outs a night from what clearly looks like an overworked bullpen. As such, I’m not sure it makes sense to push a proven innings-eater out of the rotation.
Irvin is saying and doing all the right things. And again, he has the look of someone who plays for his teammates. But it’s high time the Orioles begin to appreciate the talent and the character they have in Cole Irvin.
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