Helsley has brought serious heat back to Orioles' bullpen

BALTIMORE -- In 2025, Orioles pitchers combined to throw only two pitches of 100-plus mph. They had only five total across both the '24 and '25 seasons.

One game into the 2026 campaign, Baltimore has already thrown six 100-plus mph pitches -- all courtesy of new closer Ryan Helsley.

Helsley made an electric O's debut during Thursday's 2-1 Opening Day win over the Twins at Camden Yards, recording three strikeouts in a scoreless ninth inning to pick up a save and preserve the victory. The 31-year-old right-hander generated seven whiffs during the 19-pitch, 13-strike outing, five of which came via his four-seam fastball.

The most impressive part, though, was the heat, as Helsley was pumping in triple-digit fastballs, including one that hit 101.9 mph.

"That’s who he is. That’s prime Hels right there," said first baseman Pete Alonso, Helsley's Mets teammate for the final two months of last season who has reunited with the righty in Baltimore. "That was phenomenal. He threw the rock well, with conviction, and then obviously, when he throws a heater, it lights up the radar gun."

Helsley's fastest pitch was the hardest thrown by an Orioles pitcher since Félix Bautista hit 102.3 on Aug. 25, 2023 -- the night Bautista sustained a partial right UCL tear, resulting in him getting Tommy John surgery and missing all of the '24 season.

Baltimore signed Helsley to a two-year, $28 million deal to be its closer in place of Bautista, who underwent right shoulder surgery last August and is expected to miss most (if not all) of the 2026 campaign.

"I felt really good. It was fun to go out there and trust it and just be myself," Helsley said of his O's debut. "For whatever reason, New York just didn’t work out, and I felt pretty good there, too. But hopefully, turn the page, and we’ve got a new year for us here."

After getting dealt from the Cardinals to the Mets at last year's Trade Deadline, Helsley recorded a 7.20 ERA and a 1.80 WHIP in 20 innings over 22 appearances in a setup role. Part of the problem was a pitch-tipping issue that has since been resolved.

Helsley was among MLB's premier relievers from 2022-24, posting a 1.83 ERA with 82 saves in 152 games for St. Louis over that span. He can also throw even harder than he did Thursday, as he's hit 103-plus 15 times in his eight-year big league career (including thrice last year) and has touched 104 twice (both in 2022).

In addition to the four-seam fastball and a slider (which generated whiffs on both swings against it Thursday), Helsley has added a splitter to his mix. He tested the offering during Spring Training and used it five times on Opening Day.

"I felt great with it in spring. It’s my first year really throwing it, and when I talked to the staff this offseason, they’re like, ‘We think it could fit your repertoire, and really trust it,'" Helsley said. "It felt good out there, and hopefully, it keeps getting better."

"That was the best we’ve seen Hels," manager Craig Albernaz added. "He threw some really good splits, too."

Helsley is the only reliever in Baltimore's bullpen with a set role, as Albernaz plans to use the other seven in various situations to find out where the pieces best fit. In the opener, left-hander Trevor Rogers tossed seven scoreless innings before righty Tyler Wells allowed Minnesota's lone run while working the eighth.

It won't always be that easy for the Orioles to bridge the gap between their starter and Helsley. But if they have a narrow lead entering the ninth and turn to their new closer -- who jogs in to "Hells Bells" by AC/DC and has an entrance fans will surely enjoy -- the team should be in good shape.

The O's roster has a lot of new names this year, with Helsley, Alonso, outfielder Taylor Ward, utility man Blaze Alexander and starters Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt among the most notable offseason acquisitions. There's a lot of excitement building for what's to come, both internally and externally.

Helsley felt that firsthand while experiencing his first Opening Day in Baltimore.

"The pregame festivities were awesome, and the crowd really showed up," Helsley said. "You definitely feel it. Sometimes, you’ve got to calm yourself down a little bit because the adrenaline’s so high. It was a great atmosphere [Thursday] and a lot of fun to be out there and compete."