A lack of control could keep Orioles fireballing 23-year-old Kevin Gausman from landing a rotation spot out of spring training, ESPN has speculated.
Gausman was chucking his fastball at nearly 100 miles an hour in his last start, but has yet to throw his breaking ball for strikes, which could result in him being groomed as a short reliever. He walked just 13 in 47 2/3 innings a year ago, but his 5.66 ERA indicated a lack of an effective variety in his pitch selection.
The Orioles' inability to sign free agent pitcher Ervin Santana is good news for Gausman, but he could still wind up at Triple-A Norfolk.