Orioles Add Pitching Depth, Acquire Right-Hander Cam Sanders from Pirates
Orioles Add Pitching Depth, Acquire Right-Hander Cam Sanders from Pirates
By Brian Hradsky | Maryland Sports Blog
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The Baltimore Orioles continued to reshape their pitching depth Monday, acquiring right-handed pitcher Cam Sanders from the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, Baltimore transferred left-handed reliever Keegan Akin from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list with left elbow discomfort. Shortly after the trade, the Orioles optioned Sanders to Triple-A Norfolk, making this a move aimed at strengthening organizational depth rather than providing an immediate major league bullpen arm.
While this isn’t the blockbuster Orioles fans are hoping for ahead of the MLB trade deadline, it is another example of executive vice president and general manager Mike Elias searching for controllable pitching that the organization’s player development staff believes it can improve.
Who Is Cam Sanders?
The 29-year-old Sanders is a 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher originally selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 12th round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of LSU. He later joined the Pirates organization and made his major league debut in 2025 before appearing in nine games for Pittsburgh this season.
Sanders features:
- A fastball that reaches the upper 90s.
- A sharp swing-and-miss slider.
- A developing changeup.
Throughout his professional career, Sanders has generated strikeouts at an impressive rate, but inconsistent command has limited his success in the majors. Baltimore’s pitching development staff has earned a reputation for refining pitchers with premium stuff, making Sanders an intriguing reclamation project.
Why Baltimore Made the Move
The Orioles continue searching for bullpen depth after dealing with numerous pitching injuries throughout the first half of the season.
Adding Sanders gives Baltimore:
- Another live arm at Triple-A Norfolk.
- A pitcher already on the 40-man roster.
- A low-risk, high-upside bullpen option.
- Additional organizational depth before the MLB trade deadline.
Mike Elias has consistently targeted pitchers with velocity and swing-and-miss potential, even if they need refinement. Sanders fits that mold perfectly.
Keegan Akin’s Injury Opens a Roster Spot
The corresponding move may have longer-term implications.
By transferring Keegan Akin to the 60-day injured list with left elbow discomfort, the Orioles created room for Sanders on the 40-man roster while acknowledging Akin won’t return in the immediate future.
Akin has been one of Baltimore’s most versatile bullpen arms over the past several seasons, capable of pitching multiple innings and handling high-leverage situations. His absence only increases the likelihood that the Orioles will continue pursuing bullpen help before the trade deadline.
What Comes Next
Because Sanders was immediately optioned to Triple-A Norfolk, he’ll begin working with the Orioles’ pitching development staff while remaining available if Baltimore needs another bullpen arm later this season.
The Norfolk-to-Baltimore pipeline has been active throughout 2026, and if Sanders can improve his command, he could quickly become another option for manager Tony Mansolino during the second half.
MSB Take
This isn’t the splashy trade Orioles fans have been anticipating, but it’s exactly the type of move successful organizations make.
Baltimore gave up only cash considerations for a pitcher with premium velocity and remaining upside. If Sanders develops into a reliable bullpen piece, it’ll be another outstanding value acquisition by Mike Elias and the Orioles’ front office.
The more important storyline is Akin’s injury. Losing another experienced reliever reinforces Baltimore’s need to add pitching before the deadline. Sanders may not be the final answer, but he represents another worthwhile lottery ticket for one of baseball’s best player development organizations.
