Orioles go with one-two New Mexico punch to start the season

WASHINGTON — The baseball gods do not align something like this every day, but this week New Mexico baseball fans will be treated to something special.

Carlsbad High graduate Tyler Rogers, 28, coming off a historic season for the Orioles, is slated to be the Opening Day starter for host Baltimore on Thursday against the Minnesota Twins. After an off day, Arizona native and former New Mexico State star pitcher Kyle Bradish, 29, will get the ball Saturday for the Orioles in the second game of the season.

“We love that we have those two guys at the top of the rotation,” said Baltimore pitching coach Drew French, sitting in the Orioles’ third-base dugout before a 2-0 win over the Nationals on Monday in the spring training finale.

Texas native French, ready for his third season in the role, is learning about baseball in the Land of Enchantment.

“When Kyle told me he was being inducted into the Hall of Fame there (at New Mexico State) with Joey Ortiz (of the Brewers) and a third player (Nick Gonzales of the Pirates) … man, there is some ball coming out of there,” French, citing the December induction, said in an interview with the Journal. “You have (Alex) Bregman, Trevor. It is probably an undervalued state in terms of the talent it provides. It is very unique to see (good) players come from that area of the country.”

Rogers aided that stature in 2025.

He was named the Orioles’ 2025 MVP and was one of the best pitchers in the American League with a record of 9-3 in 18 starts with an ERA of 1.81 and a WHIP of 0.90. He became the fourth lefty pitcher in Baltimore history to be the team’s MVP, following Dave McNally (1968), Mike Cuellar (1974) and Randy Myers (1997).

Rogers made five spring training outings — the last on March 19 to give him extra rest before the real games begin.

“It meant a lot, just the journey that I’ve been on since I got traded over here and just the belief that they have in me to take the ball on Opening Day,” Rogers told reporters in Florida earlier this month. “Deep down I’ve always felt like I have the stuff to be an Opening Day guy and it’s been a bucket list for my career, so I don’t take it lightly and I’m extremely grateful and humble for the honor.”

The lefty ended up fifth in the Cy Young Award voting in the American League.

Bradish no second fiddle

Bradish was 1-1 and had a 2.25 ERA and WHIP of 1.00 in his first five starts last season after missing most of the year following Tommy John surgery in June 2024. He showed his true value in 2023 when he went 12-7 with an ERA of 2.83 in 30 starts for the Birds, good enough for fourth in the Cy Young voting.

The Orioles ended last season 75-87 and Rogers and Bradish accounted for 16 quality starts in 24 outings. Baltimore and its fans expect a much better season in 2026, in part due to the signing of former New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso and a talented core of position players.

In his last spring tuneup on Sunday in Baltimore, right-hander Bradish went 5.1 scoreless innings and allowed four hits in an 8-1 win over the Nationals.

“It’s definitely a different feeling than being in Sarasota,” he told reporters in Baltimore of the team’s spring training site.

“We think Kyle is really in a good spot,” French said Monday. “He had a normal offseason (following his surgery), which is great. He is an ace. He is a No. 1. He is going to pitch many opening days.”

Rogers is also an ace.

“Those guys both go to where they are in different ways,” French said. “They have seen the bumps in the road and adversity and come out the other side with great perspective and great understanding of who they are. I am more of a fan than a coach of them because they very much are coaching themselves.”

Rogers began his pro career in the Miami system, was an All-Star in 2021 then was traded to the Orioles in 2024. Meanwhile, Bradish had to overcome surgery.

As the game changes, Rogers and Bradish rely on available analytical information.

Information era

“I think everybody in our rotation has a very good funneling process what they like, what they need. For (Rogers and Bradish), simple has always been better. You can say one or two words to them and they know exactly what we you talking about. We have a lot of guys with a lot of versatility. These guys can beat you in a lot of different ways,” French said. “They are really intelligent. Trevor can win with a two-seam and a changeup and he can win with a four-seam and breaking ball.”

The rest of the rotation is slated to be Shane Baz, 26, who started Monday in Washington; Chris Bassitt, 37, who pitched in relief to get some work in; and Zach Eflin, who turns 32 on April 8.

“We know what dials we need to turn to help these guys pitch deep into games. Chris and Zach are getting close to 10 years of service time,” French said. “They know how to pitch and how to win. With so much information today, your eyes may overlook look some things. Iron sharpens iron. I say that a lot of times.”

French said that Rogers threw a bullpen session on Monday morning at Camden Yards in Baltimore. Bradish also stayed back in Charm City to get ready for his first start of the season.

“They have extra day or two from the last start to use their time wisely,” French said. “They are similar. They are not very external but we have very good conversations with things that are not baseball-related, too. They balance each other out in a good way.”

The Orioles’ starting rotation is so deep that veteran right-hander Dean Kremer, 30, who has played for Team Israel, was optioned to Triple-A Norfolk on Saturday.

“It is emotional for us for a lot of reasons,” French said. “We value Dean a lot. There is a place in this clubhouse where he props us up. He is on a path to do that. We don’t know when that call is coming. It is a good problem to have these days. It is our job to make sure he is ready” for the majors.

Rogers and Bradish are certainly ready — giving New Mexico a one-two punch in the Baltimore starting rotation.

Notes: The total number of career victories for the Orioles’ rotation going into 2026 is: Rogers (24), Bradish (19), Baz (17), Bassitt (83) and Eflin (68) … Outfielder Mark Corey, who was born in Tucumcari in 1955, was an outfielder for the Orioles from 1979-81. He went to high school in Colorado … Vern Stephens played for the Orioles in 1954-55. He was born in McAlister (in Quay County, near House) in 1920 and died in California in 1968. Stephens, a seven-time All-Star, started at short and had two hits on Opening Day in Baltimore in 1954.

Freelance writer David Driver covered the Washington Nationals from 2013-22 for various outlets. He is the co-author of “From Tidewater to the Shenandoah: Snapshots from Virginia’s Rich Baseball Legacy,” available on Amazon and at daytondavid.com. Driver is also the former sports editor of the Baltimore Examiner.