Baltimore Orioles change ballpark dimensions to help pitching

The Baltimore Orioles certainly need help when it comes to their pitching staff. While John Means is a solid enough arm, the idea that Jordan Lyles is going to be the second starter in the rotation just shows how much more work needs to be done. Yes, the Orioles have intriguing prospects on the way, but it will take time before they can be counted on at the major league level.

Meanwhile, the Orioles are looking for other ways to help their pitching staff. Part of those plans involves changing the dimensions at Camden Yards, as they are not only moving the wall between the foul pole and the bullpen back, but are also raising the wall by five additional feet.

Baltimore Orioles find another way to help their pitching

Construction is expected to be ready for Opening Day on March 31. These changes will move the left center wall back from its current 364 feet to something that is more in line with league norms. While these changes are not expected to suddenly make Camden Yards a pitching haven, they should give the Orioles’ pitchers a fighting chance.

The Orioles need all the help they can get. Their pitchers have allowed the most homers in the majors in each of the past three seasons, which includes a record 305 homers in 2019. While that season also has the asterisk of the lively ball, it underscores how much work needed to be done to make their pitching staff major league caliber.

Although DL Hall and Grayson Rodriguez are likely to begin the 2022 season in the minors, there are other formerly well regarded arms at the major league level. John Means has emerged as their de facto ace, a solid option for Baltimore to build around. Keegan Akin and Dean Kremer may not have been considered amongst the top prospects in baseball, but they were solid minor league arms who had a chance to be a part of the Orioles’ future.

Just moving the wall back will not be the only thing that the Orioles need to do. They still need to add talent to their rotation. However, this is a step to helping the pitching staff, both in 2022 and moving forward. This could help improve the confidence of their young arms at the major league level and make a difference down the line.

The Baltimore Orioles are moving back and raising the fences in left field. This should help a pitching staff that desperately needs it.