Jacob Webb talks about joining the Orioles bullpen

Claimed on waivers from the Los Angeles Angels on Monday, right-hander Jacob Webb is the newest member of the Orioles bullpen. He is at Camden Yards today after being activated for tonight's game as right-hander Joey Krehbiel was optioned back to Triple-A after Tuesday’s loss to Houston.

Webb was DFA by the Angels over the weekend after going 1-1 with a 3.98 ERA over 31 2/3 innings and 29 games. He gave up 23 hits with 20 walks and 34 strikeouts, recording a 1.358 WHIP with a 5.7 walk rate and 9.7 K rate.

“I’m very happy. From a fourth-place team to a first-place team,” Webb said of joining the Orioles. “Obviously, pretty good scenario. Just trying to come in here and do what I do. Help the team as best I can.

“Yeah, kind of (the DFA was surprising). Situation over there – I was the odd man out in that scenario. But coming here is a nice little surprise. Ready to get to work.”

Webb is pleased for the most part with his season numbers. In his last game for the Angels on Friday against Seattle he pitched a scoreless inning. 

“I would say I’ve pitched pretty well. Down the stretch I kind of lost one of my pitches a little bit and it kind of altered how I have been throwing. Trying to get it back and constantly work on it every day," he said. 

Webb has pitched in five playoff games during the 2020 and 2021 postseasons with the Atlanta Braves. He’d like to add to that playoff experience this coming October.

“It’s very exciting," he said. "Anytime you get a chance to pitch in the postseason, it is what everyone in here is trying to accomplish. It’s going to be awesome."

Webb throws his four-seam fastball 50 percent of the time at an average velocity of 94.9 mph and adds his changeup 28 percent and sweeper 22 percent.

“I would say I attack guys. Use all my pitches if I can. Depends on the hitter as well, and the situation. But, I would say the biggest thing is attacking with my stuff and executing pitches really," he said.

In leaving the Angels he is no longer on a pitching staff with Shohei Ohtani or with an organization he had been with since they signed him as a free agent last November. 

“He’s an unbelievable player," Webb said of Ohtani. "I have nothing but good things to say about, even that whole organization there. There are great people there. Being around him every day, it was very special to watch. It’s almost like he’s a robot man, he’s different. He makes it look so easy."