Lowther latest example of Orioles' willingness to skip Triple-A

Putting aside the Adley Rutschman obsession for a moment, which I understand is like sliding your hands underneath a cruise ship and telling a friend to "grab the other end," the Orioles are showing a willingness in the right circumstances to push a prospect further than expected.

The key is figuring out those circumstances. To read the situation.

Ryan McKenna is on the active roster again despite his complete lack of Triple-A experience. He started in right field yesterday and singled, and his speed and defense make him an attractive piece in the rebuild puzzle, though a crowded outfield could push him to the bench on most days.

Yusniel Diaz was on the taxi squad for the last road trip despite also failing thus far to rise above the Double-A level. Maybe a regular start to the minor league season would have kept him with the Norfolk Tides. Then again, who knows?

He was deemed worthy of inclusion and in position to debut if the Orioles had multiple injuries.

Zac Lowther also is skipping a rung of the ladder. The Orioles recalled him yesterday morning from the alternate camp site and designated veteran Wade LeBlanc for assignment.

Losing a minor league season threatened to slow the rise of some prospects. Perhaps these moves speak to the work done at Prince George's Stadium. And to the flexibility that the Orioles are demonstrating with certain players.

As manager Brandon Hyde said yesterday, the organization actually is more inclined to bypass Triple-A after 2020 was "a punt" due to COVID-19.

Oh snap.

"The lost Triple-A season last year is just different for everybody, so some of these guys might be getting here a little quicker than normal and not have the Triple-A at-bats, innings on the mound, etc., that normally you would want just because last year was a punt in the minor leagues," Hyde said.

"It is what it is for right now and we feel good about how Zac was throwing at the alternate site and we're going to give him an opportunity."

Lowther seized it yesterday with a scoreless ninth inning, a leadoff single failing to rattle him. How about that 3-2 changeup for a called third strike on Matt Chapman to end the game?

I also froze.

The Orioles are graduating prospects to the majors and it's a necessity for the rebuild to work. This isn't just a nice development. It's absolutely essential.

Ryan Mountcastle, Dean Kremer, Keegan Akin and Bruce Zimmermann made it to Baltimore last summer.

More are on the way. And some of them won't be taking it one affiliate step at a time.

"We're getting a lot of guys from the system, which is what you want," Hyde said. "You start getting a healthy organization when you start calling up your own guys."

LeBlanc was re-signed as a placeholder and consumer of innings until one of the young pitchers bumped him. It just didn't figure to happen before May. And with the minor leagues still frozen for a couple more weeks.

Lowther could remain in long relief and late-inning mop-up, or Hyde could move him into the rotation, whether it's the open spot Wednesday night or if Jorge López struggles again Thursday against the Yankees.

Or Lowther could be the corresponding move if Kremer is recalled Wednesday.

What should excite fans is a rotation that soon might include Kremer, Zimmermann, Lowther and John Means, the latter an April Cy Young candidate. And Akin is knocking on the door again, though with his right hand after receiving stitches in his left index finger.

"I think that (Triple-A) is a stepping stone that a lot of people need, and I was ready to go on that path no matter what," Lowther said, "but being able to see the level of guys I have this year and last year, I think that gave me a good replacement as best as it could to be able to compete here."