Orioles’ Braxton Bragg Gets Results At Double-A With Improved Stuff
The Orioles’ low-level pitching logjam a season ago was so severe that righthander Braxton Bragg couldn’t get out of Low-A Delmarva, where he had a 3.36 ERA with a 1.17 WHIP and 30% strikeout rate.
Baltimore kept him there because that’s where the most innings were available.
As Bragg’s stuff ticked up and he added a new kick-changeup ahead of the 2025 season, there was no such stagnation. The 24-year-old was promoted from High-A Aberdeen to Double-A Chesapeake after three dominant starts.
His new arsenal has played well in Double-A. Through four appearances, Bragg had a 1.56 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 39% strikeout rate.
According to one National League scout, Bragg’s fastball velocity plus full-grade improvements to his slider and changeup have raised his ceiling.
“With the improved stuff, he’s now showing some major league potential, or at the least, a nice versatile depth arm,” the evaluator said. “I like his aggressive, bulldog mentality on the mound.”
Bragg spent three years as a reliever at Nebraska and transferred to Dallas Baptist as a starter with good command of a three-pitch mix, including a fastball sitting in the low 90s in 2023. The Orioles made him their eighth-round pick that year in a draft class that also yielded emerging pitchers Zach Fruit, Nestor German and Michael Forret in the ninth, 11th and 14th rounds.
In 2024, Bragg’s four-seamer, which is a bit deceptive but plays well because of his lower slot, averaged about 93 mph and was up near 97, and he added a two-seamer and cutter to his arsenal.
In 2025, his fastball has again progressed, and is averaging just above 95 mph while getting up above 98. The improvements meant Bragg was one of the most effective pitchers in the minors over the first month of the season.
The Orioles have seen many pitchers pop in their second full seasons of pro ball in recent years. Few have done so to the extent Bragg has.
