Eshelman on return: "It was ultimately what I wanted to do"

Thomas Eshelman is a new father with a new contract that keeps him tied to his old team.

The Orioles re-signed Eshelman to a minor league deal three weeks ago, or about three weeks after the birth of his son, Trey.

The foray into free agency led Eshelman back to his comfort zone.

"Ultimately, the opportunity is one of the biggest (reasons), but also familiarity with everybody there," he said earlier this week in a phone conversation.

"I've been there obviously for two years now and got to know the coaching staff real well and also the players. And the atmosphere is No. 3. It's a good atmosphere to be in as a player and obviously the young guys are coming and it's going to be looking like a lot better team here in the next couple of years.

"Just to be there and be a part of that is something for me that I wanted to do, and for my family as well. Everything is run very well with the Orioles."

Eshelman, 26, made four starts and appeared in 12 games last season and was 3-1 with a 3.89 ERA and a 1.240 WHIP in 34 2/3 innings. He still didn't miss many bats, averaging 4.2 strikeouts per nine innings.

Executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias brought Eshelman into the organization in a June 9, 2019 trade with the Phillies for international bonus slot money. The Astros selected Eshelman in the second round in 2015 while Elias was director of amateur scouting.

There was an opportunity for Eshelman to leave the organization after the Orioles designated him for assignment on Nov. 25 and claimed outfielder/first baseman Chris Shaw, who became a DFA casualty Monday night. Eshelman cleared waivers and declined his outright assignment.

"It was ultimately what I wanted to do," he said. "We talked about it and it just made sense for me to go back there. I could go somewhere else and try to start all over and try to prove myself again, but the coaches are familiar with what I can do and so is management."

But will he start?

Eshelman most likely will compete again as a swingman on a team that is attempting to sign a veteran starter to round out a rotation consisting of John Means, Alex Cobb, Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer.

He also could slot behind Jorge López and left-hander Bruce Zimmermann, though camp will provide opportunities to adjust the rankings.

"Being around those guys was cool because they're young, they're hungry and it was good to see them have success at that level," he said. "For myself, it's more of a thing like, 'Where can I fit in, what puzzle piece am I?' I'm going down there as a starter hopefully. I don't know. We'll see. But I could potentially be that puzzle piece in the bullpen again to help bridge the gap if they do have a rough one every now and then.

"I hope they don't, but if they do, I could be that guy. But just to be a puzzle piece. That's all I'm trying to do, and just trying to fight my way back to the big leagues again."

Manager Brandon Hyde is confident in calling upon Eshelman on short notice to make a start. He can pull Eshelman out of the bullpen in an emergency.

"I pride myself on that a little bit, as far as being that guy they can come to, hand the ball to and give the team enough innings," Eshelman said. "It's one of those things where you have to be mentally prepared for it at all times. I know at one time I got called up and told I was doing a spot start, but it's part of being in that role.

"That role is pretty unique and it's one of those things where you have to be mentally prepared to get the ball and go as long as you can in order to eat up those innings and save their guys and make sure they're ready for the games that, quote-unquote, actually matter. But you never know. With the way these games go, they can flip in a heartbeat."

The offseason work put in by Eshelman, beyond diaper changes, included a few adjustments that he's hoping will improve the quality of his below-average speed fastball and enable him to use it more frequently.

"Just a little bit with grips to feel a little bit better with my spin," he said. "I think that was the biggest thing. Sometimes I get on the side of it, so I try to get back behind the ball again and get better spin, true spin. And then obviously sharpen up the breaking balls. Those have always kind of felt good to me, so hopefully the spin translates into the games and it presents better.

"I showed them what I've been working on. I've got to prove myself again. I know the pitching coaches, so they know what I can do and I know what they want. It's just a little bit easier."