March 23, 2025
Baltimore Orioles left-hander
Cade Povich will open the 2025 regular season as the team's No. 5 starter and will start the home opener on March 31 against the division-rival Boston Red Sox, according to general manager Mike Elias. Povich beat out right-hander
Albert Suarez for the final spot in the starting rotation by posting a 3.07 ERA, 0.89 WHIP, 15 strikeouts and four walks in 14 2/3 Grapefruit League innings. The 24-year-old southpaw gets an opportunity in the rotation to start the year thanks to the injury to right-hander
Grayson Rodriguez (elbow), who doesn't have a timetable to make his season debut due to elbow inflammation. As a rookie in 2024, Povich went 3-9 with a 5.20 ERA and 1.43 WHIP with 69 K's and 34 walks in 79 2/3 frames over 16 starts. The former third-rounder will probably continue to be a work in progress, but he has room for growth and will be an option in AL-only leagues.
--Keith Hernandez - RotoBallerSource: The Baltimore Sun - Jacob Calvin Meyer
March 18, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Cade Povich tossed five hitless innings in Tuesday's 8-2 Grapefruit League victory over the Blue Jays. The lefty walked three batters and struck out six in the outing. It was a much-needed statement performance from the southpaw whose chances to make the rotation to begin the season improved with
Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) expected to miss the first month. In all, Povich has allowed five earned runs over a total of 14 2/3 spring innings, allowing four walks and 15 strikeouts. The 6-foot-3 hurler had a bumpy start to his major league career in 2024, posting a 6.58 ERA, 1.73 WHIP, and a 4.5 percent K-BB% over the first 11 starts, but recorded a 2.60 ERA, 0.87 WHIP, and a 22.4 percent K-BB% over the final five starts. As a former third-round pick and highly rated prospect, Povich is worth a look in deeper and AL-only leagues for fantasy if it's confirmed he'll earn a rotation spot.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
March 14, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher
Cade Povich allowed eight hits and five earned runs across 4 2/3 innings of work on Thursday. Povich was cruising through his first four innings, allowing just one run with three hits. However, in the fifth inning, the southpaw stumbled and served up four runs and five hits, including a home run to Toronto outfielder
Daulton Varsho. With
Grayson Rodriguez (elbow) expected to miss the start of the season, the 24-year-old is competing for the open spot in the rotation. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression during camp, as he has flashed solid upside at times. However, his rough finish to this start could put him on the outside of the 40-man roster. Through 9 2/3 innings in camp, Povich has held a 4.66 ERA with a 1.03 WHIP. He held a 5.20 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP across 79 2/3 innings in the majors last season. If he were to make the starting rotation, he could have value in deeper AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
March 8, 2025
Baltimore Orioles starting pitchers
Albert Suarez and
Cade Povich are set to compete for the open spot in the rotation with
Grayson Rodriguez (triceps) set to be sidelined through Opening Day. Earlier in the offseason, Suarez was initially expected to be the next man up, but given Povich's strong performance in spring training, he could surpass him on the depth chart. Last season, Suarez logged 133 2/3 innings in Baltimore and posted a 3.70 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He tallied 108 strikeouts with a modest 7.6 percent walk rate. Povich made his MLB debut last summer and held an underwhelming 5.20 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP across 79 2/3 innings. However, in spring training, Povich has tossed five shutout frames and allowed just one hit while tallying seven punchouts. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor Povich's development as he could move up the depth chart if he continues this excellent play. For now, both pitchers are solid late-round targets in AL-only formats.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Matt Weyrich
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