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In 2014, the Baltimore Orioles signed Ubaldo Jimenez to a four-year, $50 million contract — the largest deal for a pitcher in team history. Two years later, the move looks like one of the most regrettable acquisitions in GM Dan Duquette‘s tenure.
Jimenez enjoyed a strong first half of the 2015 MLB season, but has struggled since the All-Star break. In four starts, Jimenez has allowed 22 runs in 18.2 innings, resulting in a 10.61 ERA and three losses during that stretch. He’s surrendered six or more runs in three of his four starts since the break, failing to get out of the fifth inning in each of those contests. This recent rough patch increased his ERA from 2.81 to 4.04 this season. He will need to improve down the stretch if the Orioles hope to compete for a division title and Wild Card spot.
There are a two main things to analyze when looking at Jimenez this season, starting with his struggles in the first inning. Jimenez has given up 12 ER in 21 IP to begin a ballgame, leading to a 5.14 ERA. He settles down in the second and third innings, with a 2.57 and 3.10 ERA respectively.
This theme continued in yesterday’s game against the Detroit Tigers. Jimenez was one strike away from stranding two runners in scoring position before J.D. Martinez belted a three-run home run to center field. He was able to recover after the big blow by retiring 12 straight batters, but he ran into trouble again in the fifth inning. Jimenez allowed three more runs and ended up with the 6-1 loss. The key to beating him is putting up runs early, because Jimenez is the type of pitcher who gets stronger as the game proceeds. It’s critical that he gets off to better starts heading forward.
The other — and most important — thing to watch with Jimenez is the command of his pitches. The reason he performed so poorly last season was an astronomical walk rate of 5.5 BB/9. He’s improved in that area this year by accumulating a career-low 3 BB/9. Jimenez has only walked seven batters in his last four starts, so there’s hope that he can turn things around down the stretch. In a 162-game season, there are going to be peaks and valleys in your performance. For the Orioles and Jimenez, they hope that this funk won’t last during the most critical point in the season.
At 53-51, Baltimore is currently six games behind the in the AL East and is a half game back of the second AL Wild Card spot. The Orioles begin an important nine-game road trip on the west coast tonight and need everyone to contribute if the team is going to make a run. It all starts with the guys on the mound, which means Jimenez must rebound from his recent struggles for Baltimore to contend.
Ben Linton is a MLB writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter @Ben_Linton91, or add him to your network on Google.
