After the starting five, how does the depth look for the Orioles?

As the new season approaches for the Orioles, the starting rotation looks set for 2017. It is expected to be - in some order - Chris Tillman, Kevin Gausman, Dylan Bundy, Wade Miley and Ubaldo Jiménez.

But we do know the Orioles are very unlikely to get through 162 games with just five starting pitchers. They used eight to make starts in both 2014 and 2015 and used 10 in 2016.

So the depth, as always, will be necessary. Who is next up on the list after the starting five for the Orioles? The organization does have solid depth with several candidates, including pitchers that could work out of the Baltimore bullpen or pitch out of the rotation for Triple-A Norfolk or Double-A Bowie.

Presented here, in alphabetical order, are seven candidates to make either a spot start if needed or join the rotation for a longer stretch.

Jason Garcia: It is still pretty amazing that this now 24-year-old right-hander pitched in the majors in 2015, making the leap from low-A ball as a Rule 5 pick. That would be the equivalent of an O's prospect pitching on the staff in 2014 for Single-A Delmarva and the next year for Baltimore. Garcia did okay, too, posting an ERA of 4.25 for the Orioles.

Garcia did not fare as well last year pitching in the rotation at Bowie, going 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA in 124 innings. He walked 54, fanned 71 and gave up a .291 average. His fastball velocity was often 92-93 mph, but touched 96-97. His slider looked to be ahead of his changeup. Is his long-term future in the bullpen?

Joe Gunkel: He was Boston's 18th-round selection in 2013 after a career at Division II West Chester (Pa.). Gunkel was traded to the Orioles in June 2015 for outfielder Alejandro De Aza. He spent most of 2016 in the Triple-A Norfolk rotation and seemed close to a call-up a few times, but it never came.

He started last season with Bowie, going 0-3 with a 3.66 ERA in four starts. Then over 24 starts for Norfolk, he went 8-11 with a 4.08 ERA. Gunkel's fastball works between 88-92 mph, and while he doesn't throw the ball by many hitters, his control has been outstanding. He averaged 1.15 walks per nine innings with Norfolk (18 in 141 1/3). In 2015 between Single-A and Double-A, he went 11-6 with a 2.68 ERA and averaged 1.68 walks per nine. Gunkel, who has been compared to the Orioles' Tyler Wilson, has a career walk rate of 1.57, a strikeout rate of 7.45 and a 1.12 WHIP.

Chris Lee: Had he not gotten hurt in late May last season, the 24-year-old Lee would have probably pitched in the majors at some point last year. The Orioles acquired him from Houston in May 2015 and quickly put him on a fast track toward the majors.

Lee has made 15 appearances the last two seasons for Bowie, going 9-2 with a 3.02 ERA and 1.187 WHIP. Even though his fastball can touch the mid-90s, he has not been a big strikeout pitcher. In 89 1/3 innings last year, he walked 33 and fanned 45. But the results have been solid and if he proves this spring that lat and shoulder injuries are in his rear-view mirror, his major league debut is very possible at some point this summer.

Logan Verrett: This right-hander was an Orioles Rule 5 draft pick in December 2014 (along with Garcia). He pitched well in spring training of 2015, but was claimed by Texas late in camp and later sent back to the Mets.

He did not have a strong 2016 for the Mets, going 3-8 with a 5.20 ERA over 91 2/3 innings. Left-handers hit .276 against him and right-handers hit .291. The 26-year-old Verrett pitched solidly in relief last year with an ERA of 2.84. But in his 12 starts for New York, he went 1-6 with an ERA of 6.45.

Verrett is 4-10 with a 4.65 ERA and 1.378 WHIP in 53 major league games, including 16 starts. He's 35-16 with a 3.93 ERA and 1.215 WHIP in five minor league seasons. He has an option remaining, so he could start the year at Triple-A.

Tyler Wilson: Wilson was drafted out of Virginia in the 10th round of the 2011 draft. He stayed under the radar as a pitching prospect for a few seasons. But then he showed up in Baltimore during 2015 and did well, going 2-2 with a 3.50 ERA. Last year for the Orioles, he went 4-6 with a 5.27 ERA. Over 94 innings, he gave up 15 homers among 110 hits with 24 walks and 55 strikeouts. Without a blazing fastball, Wilson always seems to get labeled as having marginal stuff but an abundance of poise, smarts and guts.

Mike Wright: For the last two seasons, Wright has mostly excelled at Triple-A and yet struggled in the majors. This makes him no different than many other young pitchers around the game. But the question now for the 27-year-old right-hander is will he be able to become more consistent at the major league level?

In 2015 and 2016, he pitched to an ERA of 2.63 for Norfolk. But with the Orioles, he went 5-9 with a 5.88 ERA, allowing 21 homers over 119 innings. He definitely has solid stuff with a mid-90s fastball, but his secondary pitches have been inconsistent. A mid- to late-inning relief job could be in his future, but he remains a starter now. If it ever clicks for him, that ERA could take a nosedive, but so far it hasn't.

The Orioles have come a long way with Wilson and Wright since that 2011 draft, developing them into pitchers that made the 40-man roster and reached the majors. Now we need to find out if they can improve off their 2016 seasons and stay there.

Gabriel Ynoa: Like Verrett, he was acquired from the Mets and also for cash considerations. He spent 2016 mostly with Triple-A Las Vegas, going 12-5 with a 3.97 ERA in 154 innings. In the Pacific Coast League, lefty batters hit .331 against Ynoa and right-handed batters hit .241. He's been described as a pitcher with a solid sinker and changeup and fastball that can reach the mid 90s. In 136 career minor league games, he is 59-30 with a 3.36 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 1.5 walk rate and 5.6 strikeout rate.

This group, obviously, does not even represent every option the Orioles have for the rotation for 2017. Newcomer Vidal Nuño has made 42 career big league starts. Newcomer Richard Bleier made 10 starts in Triple-A in 2016. A little further down the depth chart comes a host of other hurlers, including Jayson Aquino and David Hess to name two more.

What is your take on the rotation depth?