If the Baltimore Orioles are truly going to complete a dramatic turnaround and surge from the bottom of the standings to the top of the American League East, the path forward will require more than just the obvious stars performing as expected. One of the clearest areas where surprise contributions will be necessary is the bullpen, a unit that remains unsettled and full of unanswered questions heading into the new season.
At the front of that relief corps sits Ryan Helsley, the team’s major free-agent addition and the pitcher most observers expect to take over ninth-inning duties. Helsley brings pedigree, late-inning experience, and the kind of power arsenal that managers crave in a closer.
But once you look past him, the Orioles’ bullpen picture becomes far less defined. Rather than a stable hierarchy of proven arms, Baltimore currently has a collection of pitchers with varying résumés, uncertain roles, and plenty to prove.
One of the most notable names is Yennier Cano, who not long ago was enjoying the honor of being named an All-Star. Since then, however, his standing within the organization has become much less secure.
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Rather than being penciled in as a lock for high-leverage innings, Cano now finds himself in a position where he may need to fight simply to ensure his place on the roster. That uncertainty speaks volumes about how quickly fortunes can change for relievers and how competitive the Orioles’ bullpen battle is shaping up to be.
By contrast, Keegan Akin appears to have a firmer grasp on his role. While he may not generate headlines or All-Star buzz, Akin has carved out a niche as a dependable option who the coaching staff trusts. His presence provides at least one sense of continuity in a group otherwise marked by flux.
The only other reliever who might be considered a recognizable name is Andrew Kittredge, who arrived via trade with the Chicago Cubs. Kittredge brings experience and versatility, but even he is not a sure thing to dominate in high-leverage spots.
Taken together, this mix underscores why Baltimore has been viewed around the league as an appealing landing spot for pitchers on the fringes of the majors. For those hovering between Triple-A and the big leagues, the Orioles present an opportunity: a bullpen without many immovable pieces, where strong spring training performances and early-season success could quickly translate into meaningful roles. It is in this context that Baltimore made another under-the-radar move during the offseason.
On Tuesday, according to the official transactions log, the Orioles added another arm to their organizational depth by signing right-hander Hans Crouse to a minor-league contract. At 27 years old, Crouse fits the profile of a pitcher who has already tasted the major leagues but has yet to establish a permanent foothold. His résumé includes appearances in 27 big-league games, with his most recent action coming during the 2024 season.
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Crouse’s recent past has been shaped as much by adversity as by performance. Early in the Triple-A season last year, he suffered a torn lat, a serious injury that immediately halted his momentum. At the time, he was part of the Los Angeles Angels organization, but the injury ultimately led to his release.
The road back has been a long one, but there are signs that his recovery is progressing. Recently, video surfaced on Instagram showing Crouse throwing off a mound for the first time since the injury. The clip, shared by Ryan Aguirre of Fusion Sport Science, offered a glimpse of a pitcher working his way back toward full strength and chasing another opportunity.
The twists and turns of Crouse’s career extend well beyond last season. Originally, he was selected in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Texas Rangers, straight out of high school. As a highly regarded amateur arm, expectations were significant, but the development path was anything but linear. It was not until 2023 that Crouse finally made his major league debut, appearing in two games with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Following that brief introduction to the majors, Crouse elected free agency the following winter in search of a clearer opportunity. He found one with the Angels, signing a deal that placed him in a bullpen looking for stability.
Over the course of the summer, he made the most of that chance. In 25 appearances with Los Angeles, Crouse delivered impressive results, compiling a 2.84 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP while striking out 34 batters across 25⅓ innings. For a reliever trying to prove he belonged, those numbers were difficult to ignore.
Yet baseball roster decisions are rarely straightforward, and despite his effectiveness, Crouse was optioned to Triple-A in August. From the outside, the move appeared puzzling, especially given his performance.
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While the full context of roster constraints, option rules, and organizational priorities is rarely visible to fans, it would have been natural for Crouse to feel that he had done enough to remain in the major league bullpen. He did return briefly in September for one additional appearance, but by then, the sense of momentum had already been disrupted.
Now, with Baltimore, Crouse is once again at a crossroads. The minor-league contract offers no guarantees, but it does provide a chance to reset and compete in an environment where opportunity may be more attainable than elsewhere.
For the Orioles, the signing is a low-risk gamble: if Crouse regains his health and rediscovers the form he showed with the Angels, he could emerge as a valuable bullpen piece. For Crouse, it represents another shot to show that his past success was no fluke and that he can finally secure a lasting role in a big-league relief corps.
As the Orioles look ahead to the season, their bullpen remains one of the most intriguing aspects of the roster. Established names exist, but certainty does not. That uncertainty opens the door for pitchers like Hans Crouse—players with talent, experience, and something to prove—to step forward.
If Baltimore is to defy expectations and rise to the top of the division, contributions from such unexpected sources may ultimately make the difference between a promising season and a truly transformative one.
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