Why Dean Kremer is Baltimore's Biggest Wildcard in 2026

The Baltimore Orioles have been searching for their bonafide ace for quite some time now. 

They acquired Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers in February of 2023, and while he did pitch like an ace that season, Baltimore failed to retain him as he signed a six-year contract with his hometown team the Arizona Diamondbacks. 

Since then, Baltimore invested a ton in upcoming pitchers Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish, but the injury bug has substantially stunted their ascension. 

Baltimore ended up trading Rodriguez in November 2025, signaling a new direction with their starting pitching rotation. 

Although Baltimore acquired a talented starter in Shane Baz and a proven veteran in Chris Bassitt, some still believe the rotation lacks that...punch. 

However, I believe Baltimore has a starter who's been in the organization for nearly a decade who is poised to have his best season of his career. 

Dean Kremer was the only positive return from the Manny Machado trade, as the rest of those prospects fizzled out and are no longer with Baltimore's organization. 

Kremer has been Baltimore's workhorse for the past five seasons, as his 671.2 innings pitched since the start of 2020 is the most in the organization. His resilience and leadership has been pivotal in Baltimore's recent success, but many believe Kremer's 2026 season will make or break his role in Baltimore. 

2022 was by far Kremer's best season, as he posted a 3.23 ERA with 87 strikeouts and a  2.8 WAR over 125.1 innings of work. 

Unfortunately for Kremer, he has struggled to duplicate the results of 2022, as he has failed to record an ERA below four for the past three seasons. Injuries and slow starts have inflated Kremer's numbers, but once summer time rolls around, Dean Kremer turns into Dealin' Dean. 

From May 1, 2025 to the end of the season, Kremer posted a 3.57 ERA and 122 strikeouts in 22 appearances, giving Baltimore much needed production out the rotation. Unfortunately, Kremer is known for his poor starts to the season, as he posted a 6.75 ERA in 25.1 innings in April 2025. 

2025 was Kremer's best season since 2022, as he ended the season recording a 2.1 WAR (2nd best of his career) with a 4.19 ERA in 171.2 innings. 

Kremer has a strong foundation as a starter, as opposing batters have an 88.1 mph average exit velocity (79th percentile), 30.1% chase rate (72nd percentile), 6.4% walk rate (76th percentile) and and a 35.8% hard-hit rate (85th percentile). 

If Kremer can find a way to increase his 22.9% whiff rate (28th percentile) and 20.1% strikeout rate (30th percentile), he could finally break his three year drought of not having an ERA below four. 

Although Baltimore has filled out their rotation depth with Bradish, Rogers, Baz, Bassitt and Eflin, Kremer will still have an opportunity to be a starter in the rotation. 

Kremer will be a major wildcard for Baltimore, as his experience and upside could take this rotation a long way in 2026.