Orioles acquire Konner Wade from Rockies

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

November 21, 2017, 8:33am

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The Orioles used one of their favorite methods to address their need for pitching depth.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette has acquired minor league right-hander Konner Wade from the Rockies for international signing bonus slot money, according to an industry source. I'm told that the trade was consummated last night, but neither team has announced it.

Wade, who turns 26 next month, is a former seventh-round pick in 2013 out of the University of Arizona. He's 29-35 with a 4.05 ERA and 1.309 WHIP in five seasons in the Rockies organization, averaging 1.7 walks and 6.5 strikeouts per nine innings.

After going 2-6 with a 5.34 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in the first half, Wade went 7-1 with a 3.04 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 50 1/3 innings following the All-Star break and lowered his average-against from .300 to .250.

Wade has spent the last two summers at Double-A Harttford, where he's gone 10-11 with a 4.65 ERA and 1.366 WHIP in 70 games, including 24 starts. He went 9-7 with a 4.28 ERA and 1.271 WHIP this year in 109 1/3 innings and allowed one earned run or fewer in three of his last four starts.

The Orioles can decide later if Wade is a better fit as a starter or working out of the bullpen, and whether he will occupy a spot at Double-A Bowie or Triple-A Norfolk.

Wade, who is eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 draft, and Orioles outfielder Joey Rickard were teammates on the 2012 Arizona Wildcats team that won the College World Series.