The Orioles seem to have come to terms with Dylan Coleman, a right-handed pitcher, as he shared on his Instagram. The 28-year-old has been searching for a new team since being released by the Astros last August, and it’s likely his new deal with Baltimore is a minor league contract.
Coleman made his only MLB appearance of 2024 on April 3, pitching one scoreless inning in the Astros’ 8-0 victory over the Blue Jays. The following day, Houston sent him back to Triple-A, where he posted a 6.50 ERA and a troubling 23.9% walk rate over 36 innings with Sugar Land before being designated for assignment and released in the summer.
Control issues have been a growing problem for Coleman in recent seasons. While he had average walk rates in the Padres’ minor league system and during his brief MLB stint, he impressed in 2022 with the Royals, recording a solid 2.78 ERA over 68 relief innings. Despite some concerns about a low .247 BABIP and a 12.8% walk rate, it appeared Coleman was establishing himself in Kansas City’s bullpen.
However, his performance took a downturn in 2023, with an 8.84 ERA in 18 1/3 innings for the Royals and a 4.70 ERA over 30 2/3 innings with Triple-A Omaha. His walk rates soared to 19.8% in the majors and 21.8% in the minors, leading to the Royals trading him to the Astros in December 2023.
Coleman’s fastball exceeded 98 mph in his MLB debut in 2021, but his velocity dipped to an average of 95.7 mph in Triple-A last year. Even with this drop, he still possesses an impressive fastball and has shown the ability to generate strikeouts, boasting a 24.2% strikeout rate over 93 2/3 career MLB innings. The Orioles likely see potential in Coleman, believing he can regain his form if he addresses his control issues, and are giving him a chance in spring training.
