Baker making slight change to off-speed pitch

SARASOTA, Fla. – Bryan Baker stumbled upon it almost by accident. A minute adjustment to his changeup grip that’s gotten noticed in bullpen sessions. Perhaps it marks the birth of another weapon that Baker can use to defend himself against hitters.

Whether he’s doing it with the Orioles is another matter.

One topic at a time.

Baker faced three Pirates batters in Saturday’s first exhibition game and retired all of them. Former Orioles minor league outfielder Billy Cook grounded to short, Liover Peguero flied to right field, and Enmanuel Valdez grounded to second. It happened quickly and what appeared to be effortless.

“Felt good for Day One,” Baker said yesterday morning. “First real outing in five or six months, so it felt good to be in the strike zone and going right at hitters.”

Baker threw only one changeup in the game. Former Oriole Ben McDonald, in camp as a guest instructor, has talked about Baker’s past tendency to slow his delivery on the pitch and tipping off opposing hitters. Also important is how he’s holding the ball.

“I think it all starts with the comfort in your grip,” Baker said. “I think the way I was griping it, I had to manipulate it a certain way in order for it to move the way I wanted it to or to throw it the way I wanted to, and that tends to be harder to repeat.

“I kind of just got lucky a few weeks ago and just stumbled upon it. Basically the same grip, just slightly more comfortable in my hand. It’s almost like shifted maybe a centimeter and the middle finger’s more on the whole seam. So it’s really just something I fiddled around with and happened to stumble upon it, and it just felt more comfortable and I’ve been using it since.”

No one in the organization suggested it. Baker, who's mainly four-seam fastball/slider, did it on his own.

“This was probably a week before we showed up, a week and a half maybe,” he said. “I got to throw it for maybe two bullpens before I got here. Everything else feels good, too, but it’s nice to have. It seems like it’s got just better action and I just have a better feel for it right now.”

The limited use Saturday was due to the matchups and his efficiency.

“Just with only one lefty and I didn’t get to throw a lot of pitches, really,” he said. “I think it threw it once for a strike, so I’m happy with that for sure.”

Baker made the 2023 Division Series roster against the Rangers – he walked the bases loaded in the third inning of Game 2 and Jacob Webb surrendered Mitch Garver’s grand slam – but was omitted last year for the Wild Card. He made only 19 appearances compared to 46 in the previous season and his ERA rose from 3.60 to 5.01.

The Orioles kept Baker on the 40-man roster during the offseason. The bubble beneath him didn’t pop. But he’s in a different situation now that he can’t be optioned without passing through waivers. He must make the club, and the bullpen is loaded, or there’s a possibility that he moves on to another organization.

“I just try to focus on the team,” he said. “It’s making myself available to get outs for anybody, you know? I hope it’s with these guys.”

* In case you missed this note last night, the Orioles moved the start time for today's game against the Braves from 1:05 p.m. to 4:05 p.m. due to a forecast of inclement weather in Sarasota.

That same forecast doesn't show the rain stopping by 4 p.m., but the Orioles will give it a shot.

Gates will open to fans at 3:05 p.m. Anyone who's unable to attend may exchange their tickets for any of the remaining 14 spring training games at Ed Smith Stadium.

Fans must email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with their account number and preferred new date, and the staff will find the closest seats possible subject to availability.