Watkins back at work this afternoon against former organization

The learning continues today for Spenser Watkins. And we'll find out more about him, as well.

We know about Watkins' perseverance as a 30th-round draft pick, his pitching intelligence, how he grasps the art of his profession as a survival tactic.

Today, he gets the chance to show how he responds to his first dose of adversity at the major league level.

Watkins allowed a total of three runs in his first three starts, but Marlins catcher Sandy Leon matched them with one swing - the ball landing on Eutaw Street. Watkins gutted out four innings, allowed four runs and received a nice compliment from his manager.

"I told him when we took him out, 'Way to keep us in the game,' just because he had a lot of traffic there," Brandon Hyde said. "Could have been a lot worse than that if he didn't make pitches."

As long as praise is dispensed here, nice job by Hyde to use "could have" instead of "could of."

Watkins was more impressive on his Zoom call, his confidence unshaken and unstirred.

"I wouldn't sit here and say that I took a step back, by any means," Watkins said. "It's a matter of normal week-in-week-out work and just continuing to stay as sharp as you can."

Also important was how Watkins seemed to know exactly what went wrong, making it easier to tackle in his next bullpen session.

"The biggest separation, I think, was a feel for the off-speed," he said. "We've been working on a few things, tweaking stuff as we do throughout seasons, and just trying to find that consistent feel was a little bit more of a search for me tonight rather than having it from pitch one."

So, you've got Watkins still loaded with confidence and the belief that he does belong here, and able to target the problem area and again show a willingness to work hard. Otherwise, he would be retired and coaching.

Watkins is facing the Tigers, the team that drafted him and appeared to handle him like an organizational pitcher. A guy who fills openings, even if they're a level or two below him. A common occurrence with 30th-round picks.

He's too nice to put the Tigers on blast, but make no mistake, he's disappointed in the treatment and grateful for how the Orioles are making him feel like a priority and using techniques to improve him. Like they opened doors beyond the one that led to their roster.

The Orioles are going start-to-start with Watkins, never declaring that he's receiving a lengthy audition, but it makes sense to take a more thorough look at him. No one has the muscle to push him aside.

Keegan Akin is supposed to be reinstated today from the COVID-19 list but is headed to the bullpen. He hasn't pitched since July 16. His last two starts totaled six innings and his ERA is 8.19. He isn't dealing from a position of strength.

He isn't dealing, period.

Bruce Zimmermann remains on the injured list and is set to make a couple of rehab starts before rejoining the Orioles, allowing two runs (one earned) and three hits last night in three innings at Single-A Aberdeen. He's a looming threat to Watkins, but nothing immediate. And he also could be viewed as a looming threat to Alexander Wells and Jorge López.

Zac Lowther is on the minor league injured list, heading down to Florida and expected to rejoin Norfolk at the end of August. Dean Kremer is trying to resuscitate his season, coming out of the Tides' bullpen last night and allowing one run and one hit with four strikeouts in three innings.

In a season with so many rotation disappointments, Watkins has been a breath of fresh air. He'd like to remind the Tigers today what they're missing.