This lefty O's prospect could join Baltimore's bullpen for stretch run

BALTIMORE -- For much of the season, the Orioles have lacked strong left-handed options in their bullpen. Currently, their only southpaws are Grant Wolfram and Josh Walker, and there have been significant stretches of time in which Wolfram was their only lefty reliever.

Also, Keegan Akin underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery on July 15. So, Baltimore's relief corps has skewed predominantly right-handed for nearly the entire season.

However, the O's could soon have a new lefty reliever to add to the mix.

Luis De León (Baltimore's No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline) is being transitioned into a reliever at Triple-A Norfolk so that he could potentially help the Orioles' big league club down the stretch. The 23-year-old made his first relief appearance for the Tides on Wednesday night, working around three walks and recording a pair of strikeouts during a scoreless inning vs. Nashville.

It was only De León's fourth outing since being promoted to Triple-A on July 28. The Barahona, Dominican Republic, native has a 5.28 ERA and 17 strikeouts in 15 1/3 innings for Norfolk. Prior to that, he had a 4.33 ERA and 100 strikeouts in 81 innings over 19 starts for Double-A Chesapeake earlier this season.

An international signee in December 2021, De León was a first-time non-roster invitee to Spring Training this year. The lefty tossed 2 2/3 scoreless innings over a pair of Grapefruit League appearances, while also making a positive impression on first-year manager Craig Albernaz.

"I was extremely impressed with him, just his demeanor, especially for a young player navigating his first big league camp," Albernaz said Thursday. "He had a great mound presence about him, pounded the strike zone. He has elite stuff. A little funky arm angle, too. It's one of those things where it's keeping our options open for us. But he's an exciting young arm with a lot of talent, and a great kid."

The Orioles entered Thursday's series finale vs. the Yankees at Camden Yards with a 61-66 record, but they remained in the thick of a crowded American League Wild Card race. It's quite possible they'll continue to play meaningful games well into September.

So, it could be beneficial for both Baltimore and De León to add him to the relief mix. The O's would have a high-octane, left-handed arm to deploy out of their bullpen, while De León would get his first taste of the big leagues in the process.