How Félix Bautista, the Orioles' unique new bullpen weapon, rose from an internal unknown to the big leagues
From dots on a screen in OMAR to the big league bullpen, the massive right-hander is now captivating fans and analysts alike with his unprecedented stuff.
Having spent most of the last two minor league seasons with Félix Bautista on his staffs, Justin Ramsey was just glad to see the massive right-hander looking healthy and sharp during a bullpen early in major league camp.
The reaction from the coaches witnessing the 6-foot-8, 270-pound flamethrower from a fresher vantage point was a bit different.
“We need more guys like him,” Fredi González told Ramsey, the Orioles’ upper-level pitching coordinator and Triple-A pitch coach, during a bullpen.
No one will argue that point, especially now that the 26-year-old Bautista made the Orioles’ Opening Day roster and looks to be a fascinatingly unique part of their major league bullpen, Tuesday’s hiccup notwithstanding.
His fastball, speed aside, moves in an unprecedented way. His imposing frame only aids that. But there was a time even within the Orioles’ system that he was just as significant an unknown.