In need of arms, O's call up prospect Wells

June 25th, 2021
MiLB.com

Left-hander , the Orioles' 17th-best prospect per MLB Pipeline, was promoted from Triple-A Norfolk on Friday afternoon.

The Orioles are short on arms, and Wells will start his big league career in the bullpen. The club is short because relievers Adam Plutko and Travis Lakins Sr. pitched a combined 6 2/3 innings in a 9-0 loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday night. Starter Dean Kremer couldn’t get out of the first inning and was optioned to Norfolk after the game. Right-hander was also called up from Norfolk.

However, manager Brandon Hyde has not ruled out Wells replacing Kremer in the rotation.

“We are in need of some guys that can give us some length out of the bullpen,” Hyde said. “We added a couple of guys today. Wells is in the 'pen. Then we will make the decision going forward [about starting].”

The Australian-born Wells was 4-3 with a 5.63 ERA for Norfolk this season, however, he had a fabulous month of June, going 3-1 with a 2.45 ERA. Having confidence in himself and working hard in his bullpen sessions are the reasons for the great month.

“I took the confidence from each start and it grew on me,” Wells said. “I’m going out there and getting my work in -- working on the stuff that needs to be worked on. … I’ve been working a lot on my changeup lately and it’s [coming along]. It’s a good pitch for me lately.”

Wells, 24, admitted that he wanted to start for the Orioles ever since they signed him as an international free agent in 2015.

“It’s a dream come true and hopefully, one day, I will get the start. It doesn’t matter where I pitch. It’s an unreal feeling,” he said.