Albert Suárez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

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.

Baltimore Orioles starting pitchers Albert Suarez and Cade Povich are viewed as the team's No. 6 and No. 7 starters. While this may keep them out of a job in the starting rotation to open the season, they could still compete for a long relief role during camp. Saurez is out of minor-league options and would likely remain on the Opening Day roster. However, given that Povich is only 24 years old, the team will likely opt to have him begin the season at Triple-A to continue his development. Last season, Suarez made 24 starts (32 games) and held a 3.70 ERA with a 1.29 WHIP. He tallied 108 punchouts. Povich struggled over his first 79 2/3 MLB innings, holding a high 5.20 ERA with a 1.43 WHIP. However, he has begun to flash high upside in spring training, which suggests he will likely be one of the first names called when the major league team needs more pitching depth. As a result, both pitchers should only be targeted in deeper AL-only formats for the time being.

Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde announced that right-hander Albert Suarez will get the nod to start the Grapefruit League opener on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Suarez didn't break camp with the big-league squad last year as a non-roster invite at spring training but was called up early on and debuted on April 17. He made 32 appearances for Baltimore in 2024, including 24 starts, and had a 3.70 ERA in 133 2/3 innings. The 35-year-old veteran most likely will have an Opening Day roster spot because he's out of minor-league options, but he'll likely be in a relief role with Zach Eflin, Grayson Rodriguez, Charlie Morton, Dean Kremer and Tomoyuki Sugano locked into the starting rotation. Suarez doesn't have much swing-and-miss stuff on the mound, which will give him limited streaming appeal if he makes any starts again for the O's in 2025.