Orioles Pitcher Shane Baz Poised for Breakout Season

Baz, a former top prospect, is looking to bounce back from injuries and make the most of his opportunity in Baltimore.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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Shane Baz, a right-handed pitcher acquired by the Baltimore Orioles in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays, is being touted as a potential breakout arm for the team in 2026. After overcoming injuries, including Tommy John surgery, Baz has made adjustments to his pitch mix and is expected to thrive in the more favorable pitching environment of Camden Yards compared to his previous home stadium.

Why it matters

The Orioles have been seeking to bolster their starting rotation, and Baz's emergence as a top-of-the-rotation arm could be a significant boost for the team as they look to build on their recent success and compete in the AL East.

The details

Baz, a former first-round draft pick of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was part of the trade that sent Chris Archer to Pittsburgh. After making his MLB debut, Baz faced a series of setbacks, including elbow surgery and Tommy John surgery that caused him to miss the entire 2023 season. In 2024, he dealt with oblique issues, but was able to stay healthy for the majority of the 2025 season. Now, Baz is looking to make the most of his opportunity with the Orioles, having made an adjustment to his pitch mix by moving away from a troublesome slider and focusing more on a cutter that he can better control.

  • Baz underwent Tommy John surgery in 2022, causing him to miss the 2023 season.
  • In 2024, Baz faced oblique issues but was able to stay healthy for most of the 2025 season.
  • Baz was acquired by the Orioles in a trade with the Tampa Bay Rays.

The players

Shane Baz

A right-handed pitcher who was a top prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tampa Bay Rays organizations, and is now looking to make a breakout with the Baltimore Orioles.

Chris Archer

A veteran pitcher who was traded from the Tampa Bay Rays to the Pittsburgh Pirates in a deal that included Shane Baz.

Baltimore Orioles

The MLB team that acquired Shane Baz in a trade and is hoping he can become a key part of their starting rotation.

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What they’re saying

“He also made an adjustment last year, going away from a slider that consistently landed middle/middle to a cutter he could throw to better parts of the zone. He's always had a good fastball/curveball duo, he's figuring out the rest of his arsenal and he's headed to a normal park situation in Baltimore. The stars are aligning.”

— Eno Sarris, The Athletic (The Athletic)

What’s next

Baz will look to secure a spot in the Orioles' starting rotation and build on his adjustments to his pitch mix during spring training and the 2026 regular season.

The takeaway

The Orioles' acquisition of Shane Baz represents a low-risk, high-upside move as they look to bolster their starting rotation. If Baz can stay healthy and continue to refine his pitch repertoire, he could emerge as a key part of the Orioles' future plans and help the team compete in the tough AL East division.