*Photo from DRays Bay*
The Baltimore Orioles have acquired RHP Zach Eflin from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for INF/OF Mac Horvath, OF Matthew Etzel, and RHP Jackson Baumeister, according to The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal. Both teams have confirmed.
Eflin fills a dire need for the Orioles, who had been looking for help in the starting rotation. With Kyle Bradish, John Means, and Tyler Wells all out for this season and at least most of 2025 due to Tommy John Surgery, Eflin fills a spot that needed it. He's also under control in 2025 for $18 million.
This season is Eflin's second with the Rays after signing a 3 year contract. So far this year, he has a 4.09 ERA, 3.65 FIP, and 1.16 WHIP to his name, averaging 1.1 walks per 9 innings and 7.1 strikeouts per 9 innings across 110 innings pitched, making 19 starts.
Baltimore manager Brandon Hyde said of getting Eflin "I’ve heard unbelievable things about him. Postseason tested. He’s a true professional. Everybody talks about how great of a guy he is and what he can bring to the clubhouse and our pitching staff, and we’re looking for pitching, it’s nice to add a quality starter like Zach."
Last season, Eflin finished in 6th place in voting for the AL Cy Young in a strong first season with the Rays. The Orioles got $1 million from the Rays as well to cover the bonus in his contract he got when traded. Eflin had a 3.00 ERA and 0.67 WHIP in 5 starts against the Orioles in his career.
One of the pieces the Rays got in return was Horvath, a 2023 draft pick out of the University of North Carolina. Horvath can play all over the diamond, having played 3rd base, second base, right field, and center field this season. He is in his age 23 season.
Horvath is in the midst of his first full season professionally and is the Orioles 10th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline. With the High A Aberdeen IronBirds, Horvath has a .233/.328/.417 slash line with a .745 OPS, hitting 19 doubles and 9 home runs to go with 26 stolen bases and 41 RBI's in 71 games.
Like Horvath, Etzel was a draft pick of the Orioles in 2023, chosen in the 10th round from Southern Mississippi. He is mainly a contact hitter who relies on doubles to drive up his slugging percentage. He was second in the Orioles system in stolen bases at the time of the trade and can play all 3 outfield spots as well.
Etzel was not ranked in the Orioles top 30 prospects at the time of the trade. Combined between Aberdeen and Double A Bowie, he has a .289/.363/.445 slash line with a .809 OPS, hitting 6 home runs, 7 triples, and 15 doubles to go with 47 RBI's and 41 stolen bases in 83 games.
The last piece of the puzzle is Baumeister, who switched from catching to pitching in high school. Like Horvath and Etzel, Baumeister is another 2023 draft pick. He relies mostly on his fastball and curveball but also mixes in a slider and changeup that are less effective offerings.
Baumeister was the Orioles 17th ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline before being traded. With Aberdeen this season, the righty hurler has a 3.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, averaging 11.6 strikeouts per 9 but also 5.5 walks per 9 in 70 2/3 innings across 18 starts.
With the Orioles, Eflin will slot in behind Corbin Burnes and Grayson Rodriguez as the Orioles' number 3 starter down the stretch. Both Horvath and Baumeister will likely play for High A Bowling Green in the Rays organization, while Etzel will go to Double A Montgomery.
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