Catching Up With Tyler Wells

After being selected by the Orioles in the 2020 Rule 5 Draft and making his first Opening Day roster, right-handed pitcher Tyler Wells has found a home in the Orioles bullpen. Earning his first career win on June 2 against Minnesota, Wells has allowed just one hit and no runs in each of his last three appearances.

In this week’s episode of “Inside the Yard,” Wells steps out of the bullpen to sit down with Geoff Arnold and Brett Hollander to talk about the last four months, what it was like pitching after two years off, and how he became the baseball player he is today.

“It’s certainly been crazy,” said Wells. “After not pitching for two years and then coming into big league Spring Training, there were a lot of things that I feel like I forgot how to do on a baseball field. And as I’ve continued to play, I’ve gotten a lot more comfortable out there on the mound. Especially as of recent, my mentality has gotten a lot better. I’m starting to learn a lot more about myself, about the mentality I need to have when going into the game, and being able to actually execute pitches. I feel like I’ve done that very well.”

One of things Wells forgot how to do was remain calm. In fact, as he ran out to the mound in his big league debut, he couldn’t feel his feet. But, with the help of some of the veteran pitchers on the team, Wells has been able to switch his mentality.

“When I go in there and am calm, cool, and collected, but aggressive in where I’m attacking, is when I’m at my best,” said Wells. “So that is where my mentality has switched in my past couple outings. Going out there and knowing that I have the situation under control and now it’s time to go to work, execute the pitches, get these guys out, and put up zeroes on the board.”

Wells had always known he had the situation under control when it came to his Major League career. Even though he had never made an appearance above Double-A, Wells told Arnold and Hollander he knew he could make the big league club.

“I never doubted myself these past couple years,” said Wells. “That isn’t me trying to toot my own horn, I just know I can compete and I know one of the best things I can ever do is be confident in myself. If I am not confident in myself, then it is hard for me to go out there and compete against people like the Giancarlo Stantons, the Aaron Judges. It’s already hard enough, don’t make it harder on yourself by not believing in what you are doing.”

Prior to this season, Wells was primarily a starter. Though there are parts he likes about starting, he touches on why he is thankful to have started his career out of the bullpen.

“I will say this, starting out in the bullpen to start my career is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me,” said Wells. “Whenever that phone rings, you don’t have time to think, its go. I think that eliminates a lot of the expectation. It allows you to just go out there and pitch. Being able to tame that adrenaline with that go, go, go is where I’m finding that sweet spot right now.”

Wells also clears up any confusion about where he came from. Despite what some websites may say, he was not born in California.

“For whatever reason, MLB always gets it wrong. I’m not from California,” said Wells. “I was born and raised in Tulsa, Oklahoma. I lived there for thirteen years of my life. Then I moved to Morgantown West Virginia, and WVU, where John Means went. And then half year through my junior year I moved to California.”

The trio ends with their “Fast Five” asking Wells his favorite baseball movie, high school senior year ERA, the most influential baseball person in his life, his favorite minor league city to play or visit, and any talents or hobbies he has outside of baseball

“I would say my other hobby, other than golf, is photography and video editing,” said Wells. “I enjoy doing that in the off season when I go on hikes and different kinds of trips.”

You can listen to the full podcast episode above or wherever you stream podcasts.