Orioles aren't done debuting players

Knuckleballer Mickey Jannis, and the law states that he can't be referenced without his signature pitch proceeding his name, became the eighth Oriole on Wednesday to make his major league debut this season. Konner Wade was the ninth, and the 42nd player used by the club, when he replaced starter Keegan Akin yesterday and allowed six runs and seven hits in 1 2/3 innings. Alexander Wells became Nos. 10 and 43 when he replaced Wade in the seventh and tossed two scoreless innings.

And it's only June.

More are coming as we move through the summer months.

Rule 5 pitcher Tyler Wells has made the biggest impact and it isn't close. He's gone from "handle with care" to "can handle pressure." From a reliever used in lower-leverage situations to one who has emerged as the most effective.

He stays.

In what full-time role can be decided later. Stop trying to rush it.

Wade and the two Wells, also one of my parents' favorite bands in the '50s, are the only survivors. The others are playing in the minors, out of the organization or in limbo - which is the case with Jannis after the Orioles designated him for assignment.

Rule 5 pitcher Mac Sceroler left limbo yesterday when he cleared waivers and returned to the Reds organization.

Outfielder Ryan McKenna has been valuable as an injury replacement, bringing speed and athleticism. He went 8-for-41 with a double and triple in 33 games with the Orioles, but before last night was slashing .269/.367/.582 with three doubles and six home runs in 17 games at Triple-A Norfolk. He collected hits in six straight games and nine of 10.

Left-hander Zac Lowther needed to be pulled from the shuttle for the sake of his development as a starter. He got the ball again Thursday and allowed five runs in four innings to raise his ERA to 5.18 and WHIP to 1.56 in six starts.

Lowther made three appearances with the Orioles and surrendered nine runs and 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings. He walked two batters, struck out seven and gave up two home runs. The lone start was a rocky one, with the Red Sox scoring seven runs in 2 1/3 innings.

Isaac Mattson is in the Tides bullpen, where he surrendered eight runs and 16 hits in his first 8 1/3 innings. Acquired from the Angels in the Dylan Bundy trade, he made one appearance with the Orioles on May 7 and allowed a run in two-thirds of an inning.

Tyler Nevin, part of the return from the Rockies in the Mychal Givens trade, went 1-for-5 with a double, walk and two strikeouts in two games. He's playing the corner infield and outfield at Norfolk and was batting .254/.320/.493 with five doubles, nine home runs, 22 RBIs and 34 strikeouts in 36 games.

Reliever Jay Flaa beat the odds and had his contract selected on April 26. He tossed 1 1/3 scoreless innings the following night against the Yankees and was optioned and claimed off waivers by the Braves in May after the Orioles designated him for assignment.

Sceroler was the corresponding roster move with Jannis. He missed two months with a strained right shoulder and lasted only five games, which produced a 14.09 ERA and 2.870 WHIP in 7 2/3 innings.

So who's on deck to nudge the debut total a little higher?

Making accurate predictions should be celebrated like a 10th-inning win on the road - crank up the tunes and break out the Coors Light - because there have been a few shockers in 2021.

Flaa wasn't really on the radar beyond the occasional appearances in spring training games and the media's challenge to find the correct pronunciation of his last name. Wade really impressed early this season with Norfolk and made for a cool story because he returned to the organization after the 2017 trade with the Rockies and 2018 release before he could be assigned to an affiliate.

Always looking for an angle, and he provided it just by signing another minor league contract. Did I expect him to wear an Orioles uniform by June? I'd be lying if I answered in the affirmative, though there aren't a lot of viable options on the 40-man roster, as I've written a few times.

"Konner's a guy who's been stretched out at Norfolk," manager Brandon Hyde said yesterday in his media Zoom call. "I don't know a ton about him, honestly, except it's a sinker/cutter strike thrower. Hopefully, he can give us some innings.

"With our bullpen being the way it is right now, having him and Alex Wells was important for us to be able to get some guys that can give us some length in the bullpen."

The Australian Wells, to distinguish him from the Rule 5 Wells, wasn't expected to be in the majors so soon after his oblique injury in spring training and poor numbers last month. But here he is. Another prospect getting the bump. And the way he hands out walks as if he's Scrooge McDuck with gold coins makes him a desirable asset to the Orioles.

Maybe he's going to get hit. Maybe not. But he's usually going to be in the strike zone.

The two walks yesterday can be excused based on the pressure of pitching in his first major league game, and in winds that registered higher than his fastball. Give him a mulligan.

As for the next man up, any pitcher who's stretched out and having some success could get the call, as the Orioles keep demonstrating. They'll make room.

Of course, it could be at the expense of the last rookie to debut, which happened to Jannis. Alexander Wells, however, is safe from a DFA.

Reliever Manny Barreda is 32 and spent the past seasons back in Mexico. He had a 2.60 ERA and 1.038 WHIP in 17 1/3 innings. Spenser Watkins is stretched out and carrying a 3.58 ERA and 1.102 WHIP in 32 2/3 innings. Dusten Knight had a 1.42 ERA and 1.105 WHIP in 12 relief appearances over 12 2/3 innings, but he walked seven batters. Marcos Diplán registered a 2.57 ERA in 11 relief appearances, with 15 hits, five walks and 17 strikeouts in 14 innings.

A healthy and productive stretch from outfielder Yusniel Diaz will get him in the majors. He entered last night having hit safely in seven straight games and was 6-for-13 with a double and home run in four games since returning from a quadriceps strain.

Infielder Mason McCoy is a possibility. Infield Rylan Bannon also has a shot if he starts hitting, but he's on the injured list with a strained oblique.

Or maybe it's someone else.

But it will be someone.