Hess Rebounds Into O’s Plans

BALTIMORE—When David Hess’ ERA soared to 5.83 on June 20, nobody could foresee the Orioles choosing him as their minor league pitcher of the month in July and August.

It was similarly difficult to picture Hess playing a crucial role for Double-A Bowie when it won the Eastern League title.

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A season of disappointment took an unexpected, wonderful turn for the 22-year-old.

Hess earned a promotion from high Class A Frederick after going 9-4, 3.58 in 26 games. Combining his last 12 starts at Frederick with four at Bowie, including two in the playoffs, he went 10-1, 1.58 with 33 walks and 78 strikeouts in 91 innings.

What happened to the 2014 fifth-round draft pick out of Tennessee State?

“I think it was just the ability to throw my offspeed pitches for strikes,” Hess said, “and I also had a little better fastball command.

“Early in the season, I felt good about my pitches, but just wasn’t as comfortable with them. But as time went on, and we were working on things, I was able to throw my offspeed pitches in hitter’s counts and use them for putaway pitches more. That opened up my fastball to more opportunities.

“Really, (it was a case of) just understanding a little more about what it meant to pitch and not just throw.”

The Orioles invited Hess to their minicamp in January, and he probably will begin this season at Bowie. If he picks up where he left off, the Orioles gladly will find a spot for him in the Triple-A Norfolk rotation.

“You know, baseball is a game of adjustments. Whether it is pitch to pitch, game to game or month to month,” Hess said. “I think I tried to keep sight of that even though things may not have been going the way I wanted.

“I knew I could turn it around, if I stayed patient and kept working at it. I like to think of myself as a very competitive person, and it just doesn’t occur in my mind to give in. I just had to keep pushing myself to turn it around.”

BIRD SEED

• The Orioles lost lefthander C.J. Riefenhauser to the Cubs on a February waiver claim. Baltimore acquired the reliever and Mark Trumbo from the Mariners on Dec. 2 for catcher Steve Clevenger.

• Cuban outfielder Dariel Alvarez went 11-for-24 with five RBIs while representing Venezuela in the Caribbean World Series. He is a candidate to start in right field.