A pair of lefty relievers
3. Kyle Hart
2023 Organization: Philadelphia, Seattle (Triple-A)
A career minor leaguer with just 11 big league innings to his name, Hart experienced significantly better results in 2023 with an altered arsenal. Hart added velocity and movement on his slider, thrown just 11 percent in 2023 despite opponents slugging just .293 on the pitch.
Hart has traditionally worked as a starter, but could be a valuable low-leverage lefty behind Hoby Milner. Left-handed hitters managed just a .433 OPS last year against the Ohio native Hart, whereas righties hit an unsightly .321. A move to the bullpen could also result in a velocity uptick as is often the case for pitchers.
Though Hart could also provide valuable starting depth, he profiles well as a full-time reliever, representing a better option than last year's carousel of Andrew Chafin, Bennett Sousa, Clayton Andrews and Thomas Pannone.
4. Paul Fry
The southpaw tossed 117 innings in an Orioles uniform from 2018-20, striking out 120 while holding a 4.15 ERA. His primary downfall in recent years has been usage, not in volume but strategically. Fry holds reverse splits (.618 OPS vs. RHH, .784 OPS vs. LHH) yet is often deployed to get left-handed hitters out.
Fry represents a solid second or third lefty on the depth chart for a team currently lacking in left-handed pitching options.