The Baltimore Orioles made an addition to the organization amid MLB free agency.
The Baltimore Orioles have added another arm to their organizational depth chart, agreeing to a deal with right‑handed pitcher Hans Crouse ahead of spring training. The move reflects Baltimore’s ongoing effort to strengthen its pitching staff after a 2025 season that underscored the need for more reliable options in both the rotation and bullpen.
The 27-year-old was originally drafted by the Texas Rangers in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft. Known early in his career for a lively fastball and strikeout potential, he was considered one of the Rangers’ more intriguing pitching prospects before injuries slowed his development. He eventually made his big-league debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in September 2021, after being acquired in a midseason trade.
According to Ty Daubert of Phillies Nation, “Source: Former Phillies, Angels RHP Hans Crouse has an agreement with the Baltimore Orioles. He’ll be a non‑roster invitee to spring training. Crouse last pitched in the majors in 2024.”
That 2024 season with the Los Angeles Angels was the most productive stretch of his career. Working out of the bullpen, Crouse posted a 2.84 ERA across 25 1/3 innings, striking out 34 batters in 25 appearances.
He also impressed at Triple‑A Salt Lake, where he logged a 2.70 ERA and 42 strikeouts in 23 1/3 innings before earning his call‑up. Those numbers demonstrated his ability to miss bats and limit damage when healthy, though durability has remained a question mark.
In 2025, Crouse’s progress was halted when he suffered a torn lat muscle, leading to his release from the Angels in April. He spent the remainder of the year rehabbing and working toward a return.
The Orioles’ decision to bring him in on a minor league deal with a spring training invite reflects both caution and optimism: the club is not committing a roster spot but sees enough upside to warrant a closer look.
For Baltimore, the signing is a low‑risk move that could pay dividends if Crouse can recapture his 2024 form. The Orioles have a strong core of starters and relievers but know the value of depth, especially over a long season. A healthy Crouse could compete for a bullpen role, offering multi‑inning relief or late‑game strikeout ability.
From Crouse’s perspective, the agreement represents a fresh start and a chance to prove himself in a new environment. If he can stay on the field and show flashes of the talent that once made him a top prospect, he could carve out a meaningful role in Baltimore’s 2026 plans.