Trey Gibson’s MLB Debut Amid Orioles Pitching Crisis

On Sunday, the Baltimore Orioles will start 23-year-old right-hander Trey Gibson against the New York Yankees, marking his major-league debut. Gibson, the club’s No. 3 prospect, will have his contract selected from Triple-A Norfolk, opening a spot on the active roster.

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The move follows two starters landing on the 15-day injured list and a doubleheader that taxed the bullpen. Baltimore activated left-hander Dietrich Enns, recalled Nick Raquet, optioned Tyler Wells and designated Albert Suárez. The changes came after Chris Bassitt’s deep start and Brandon Young’s short outing, which led to a five-run stint by Cade Povich and a 65-pitch relief effort by Suárez in a 2-7 loss.

Back-to-back short starts force the Orioles to potentially promote top prospect ahead of schedule

Gibson posted a 4.66 ERA in 9 2/3 spring-training innings and a 4.01 ERA with a 2-2 record in six Triple-A starts, striking out 25 and walking 12 in 24 2/3 innings. He averaged 93.6 mph on his four-seam fastball and 93 mph on his sinker, employing a six-pitch repertoire. Across three minor-league levels in 2024 he logged 166 strikeouts, 44 walks and a WHIP above 1.60.

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Manager Craig Albernaz encouraged Gibson to enjoy his debut, trust his stuff and be his best, and stressed that a starter must possess more than a fastball.

Back-to-back short starts force the Orioles to potentially promote top prospect ahead of schedule

Analysts point to Gibson’s Triple-A WHIP over 1.60, reduced fastball velocity and a high hit rate, suggesting he may not be ready for a major-league start. They view the promotion as a response to depleted pitching depth rather than merit, warning it could hinder his development.

Back-to-back short starts force the Orioles to potentially promote top prospect ahead of schedule

• “You can't be a starter in the minor leagues, never mind the big leagues, without having more than a fastball,” — Craig Albernaz, Orioles Manager

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• “Albert Suarez saved the pen from total annihilation, throwing 65 pitches in relief behind Povich as the Orioles fell to the Yankees 2-7.” — Birdwatcher analysis

Back-to-back short starts force the Orioles to potentially promote top prospect ahead of schedule

• “The Orioles would have been better off just having Suarez and Wells down for a day or two and keeping them in the pen, rather than promoting these two crooked numbers waiting to happen.” — Birdwatcher commentary

Back-to-back short starts force the Orioles to potentially promote top prospect ahead of schedule

• “The hope coming into the season was that Gibson would be in the majors sometime this year, but with prospects, you want that big promotion to come because they've earned it and they're ready, and not because the team is scraping the bottom of the barrel on their pitching depth.” — Birdwatcher commentary

Back-to-back short starts force the Orioles to potentially promote top prospect ahead of schedule

Gibson will travel with the team to New York and could start the series opener; the Orioles will assess his performance while monitoring the health of their rotation and bullpen.

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