Zimmermann, McKenna and Bradish join alternate camp site

The Orioles have added three prospects to their alternate camp site in Bowie, including left-hander Bruce Zimmermann, who would have started the season at Triple-A Norfolk and vied for a promotion to the majors.

Zimmermann is joined by outfielder Ryan McKenna and right-hander Kyle Bradish.

The 60-man player pool has increased to 57.

Zimmermann, of Ellicott City, made 18 appearances with the Baysox in last summer and registered a 2.58 ERA and 1.204 WHIP in 101 1/3 innings. Earning a late promotion to Norfolk, he allowed 21 earned runs (22 total) and 44 hits in 38 2/3 innings.

The Orioles obtained Zimmermann, 25, from the Braves at the 2018 trade deadline. He was part of the return for pitchers Kevin Gausman and Darren O'Day.

McKenna, 23, was a fourth-round selection in the 2015 draft from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in New Hampshire. He spent the 2019 season with Bowie and slashed .232/.321/.365 with 26 doubles, six triples, nine home runs and 54 RBIs.

McKenna really began to gain notice in the organization after beginning the 2018 season with Single-A Frederick and batting .377/.467/.556 in 300 plate appearances.

Bradish, 23, was acquired from the Angels in December with pitchers Isaac Mattson, Zach Peek and Kyle Brnovich for starter Dylan Bundy. Mattson also is working out at Prince George's Stadium.

A fourth-round pick in 2018 out of New Mexico State, Bradish struck out 120 batters and posted a 4.28 ERA and 1.416 WHIP in 101 innings for Single-A Inland Empire.

"Bradish in particular is somebody that I have liked dating back to the 2018 draft," executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said after the trade. "He went out and straight into the Cal League, which is a nasty place to pitch, and pitched over 100 innings, struck out over 120 hitters coming from a small conference, from the WAC, conference in New Mexico State, and was one of the better pitchers in the California League last year over a very long body of work. Made the All-Star team.

"He's got a very unique delivery, which can create some strong opinions about him one way or another. But he's got four real pitches, all of which will show above-average at times, and he strikes out a lot of hitters. There's a lot of things to like there."

The Orioles still have three open spots in the pool and could use one on outfielder Heston Kjerstad, this year's first-round selection out of the University of Arkansas.