Trey Gibson showcased a unique pitch, the “death ball,” during three scoreless innings for the Orioles on Friday. The slider comes out at high velocity and drops without much side-to-side sweep, earning him strikeouts against the Yankees. Gibson’s arsenal is full of deception and spin, making him an exciting prospect. He won’t break camp with the major league squad but is worth a closer look. Last year, Gibson rose three levels in the minors, ending in Triple-A, where he averaged 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings.
Gibson made adjustments to his sinker-based fastball, which exposed his four-seam fastball at Triple-A. He’s now using his sinker more frequently and aims to stick with it moving forward. Gibson is part of a group of young pitchers that excites the Orioles organization. Manager Craig Albernaz wants to pour into them and develop their skills.
Ryan O’Hearn, a familiar face for Orioles fans, returned from injury and received applause when he arrived at Ed Smith Stadium on Saturday. O’Hearn’s time with the Orioles was significant, as he helped turn around the team in 2023. He believes there are similarities between Pittsburgh and the 2023 Orioles, citing a mix of young players and veterans making the Pirates a breakout contender.
Source: https://www.thebanner.com/sports/orioles-mlb/orioles-prospect-trey-gibson-death-ball-YUZRFKMBM5H37HGPC4Y7IQ6PAQ