Attention baseball fans! A major victory for Kyle Bradish, the right-hander for the Orioles, has just been announced. In a recent arbitration hearing, Bradish emerged as the winner, securing a significant pay raise. But here's the kicker: the team proposed a 22% increase, while Bradish and his management team fought for, and won, a 51% hike!
Let's dive into the details. Bradish, at 29 years old, made a strong comeback last season after undergoing UCL surgery. In just 32 innings, he showcased an impressive 2.53 ERA, striking out an astonishing 37.3% of batters and walking only 7.9%. His sinker, which averaged 95 mph pre-surgery, maintained its power at 94.8 mph post-surgery.
Looking at his overall performance since 2023, Bradish has maintained a terrific 2.78 ERA across 240 innings. He's proven himself as a reliable starter, with a solid 3.47 mark in his 357 2/3 frames. But it's not just about the numbers; Bradish has consistently outperformed his peers, striking out nearly 26% of his opponents and walking a mere 7.8% of batters faced.
As a Super Two player, Bradish earned $2.35MM in 2025, his first year of arbitration eligibility. With this recent win, he's secured a substantial raise, setting himself up for two more arbitration years before becoming a free agent in 2028-29.
Heading into the 2026 season, Bradish is projected as either the top or second starter for the Orioles. He'll be paired with Trevor Rogers, who had a remarkable comeback season in 2025, posting a dominant 1.81 ERA in 109 2/3 innings. While Rogers' strikeout rate doesn't match Bradish's, he still boasts better-than-average strikeout, walk, and ground ball rates.
However, there are some health concerns for both pitchers, which could impact their performance. Nonetheless, if they can stay healthy, they should form a formidable rotation.
And this is where it gets interesting. The Orioles are still in the market for more pitching reinforcements. They've already acquired right-hander Shane Baz from the Rays, but they're also showing interest in free agents like Framber Valdez, Zac Gallen, and Lucas Giolito. It seems likely that the Orioles will make another addition to their rotation, but for now, Bradish is in the mix to start one of Baltimore's first two games of the 2026 season.
As the Orioles look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season and return to the postseason under new manager Craig Albernaz, Bradish's victory in arbitration is a significant step forward.
What do you think about Bradish's performance and the Orioles' rotation plans? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
