Branden Kline

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #22 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Kline appeared to be on the verge of a breakout in 2015 when a weighted ball program brought him a bump in fastball velocity, but an elbow injury that summer eventually required Tommy John surgery. He rehabbed through 2016 and required two cleanup procedures in 2017 before returning as an electric reliever in 2018.
  
  Scouting Report: As a starter, Kline had a diverse and effective mix, but no true putaway pitch to complement his mid-90s fastball. But the corresponding jump in his arsenal out of the bullpen means he has a dynamic three-pitch mix. His 94-96 mph fastball explodes out of his hand and is a plus-plus pitch when up in the zone, while his mid-80s slider and mid-80s changeup can be thrown in any count and get swinging strikes. Each has plus potential, and Kline held his stuff on a reliever's schedule.
  
  The Future: Kline turned 26 in September and would have been in the majors if he had innings left after so long off the mound. He was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason and will compete for a spot with the Orioles in spring training.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #29 prospect in 2016
  Kline did not sign when the Red Sox drafted him in the sixth round in 2009 and went to Virginia, where he was an all-Atlantic Coast Conference closer in 2011 and a top starter in 2012. The Orioles signed him for $793,700 to start his pro career, which has come in fits and starts. Kline began 2015 in the Double-A Bowie rotation but left his start May 20 with elbow discomfort. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection and eventually resumed a throwing program. Pitching in his second game in the instructional league, Kline felt more discomfort and Dr. James Andrews performed Tommy John surgery on Oct. 8. That makes it very likely that Kline will not pitch at all in 2016. Kline had shown a velocity increase and threw very well in the spring, when he was touching 97 mph. Kline throws a fastball, slider and changeup and pitched between 90-95 mph during the 2014 season. His secondary pitches have always been solid but lacked consistent command. Some evaluators see his future ceiling as back-end starter while others feel it will be in the bullpen.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #26 prospect in 2015
  The Orioles made Kline the 65th overall selection in 2012 after his three-year career at Virginia, where he was an all-Atlantic Coast Conference closer in 2011 and a top starter in 2012. Limited to 35 innings in 2013 after he had surgery in late May to repair a right ankle/fibula fracture, Kline logged 143 innings in 2014, mostly at high Class A Frederick. Kline throws a fastball, slider and changeup. He pitches between 90-95 mph with velocity that can fluctuate. He is athletic and pitches with solid mechanics and good downhill plane. His secondary pitches still need more development to consistently grade as solid-average, but it's more an issue of command than pure stuff. He projects to have a ceiling as a back-end starter, but his future could be in a bullpen role. He should begin 2015 in the Double-A Bowie rotation.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #20 prospect in 2014
  The Red Sox drafted Kline out of a Frederick, Md., high school, but he held to his Virginia commitment and became an all-Atlantic Coast Conference closer in 2011. He started for the Cavaliers in 2012 and became the 65th overall pick in that year's draft, signing with the Orioles for $793,700. Kline could return to Frederick in 2014 with the Orioles' high Class A affiliate?--if he's healthy. His 2013 season ended in May when he was injured during conditioning drills at low Class A Delmarva, and he had surgery in late May to repair a broken right ankle. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League to get more work, though he was hammered for 23 hits in 14 innings. Kline throws a fastball, slider and changeup. He has pitched at 88-92 mph as a starter, but his velocity plays up in shorter outings at 91-95, hinting at a return to his old college role. His fastball can be too straight from his high overhand arm slot, and his command right now is below-average. A good athlete who repeats his delivery, Kline has a strong slider and has shown aptitude since signing. He'll go home to Frederick for 2014 to get as many innings as possible.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #9 prospect in 2013
  The Orioles have plenty of history with Kline, who grew up in Frederick, Md., the site of their high Class A affiliate. They liked him out of high school in 2009 but knew he was strongly committed to Virginia, as the Red Sox learned when they took him in the sixth round. Despite his inconsistent college career, they took him in the second round last June and signed him for $793,700. Kline's fastball sits at 92-95 mph, though it's a little straight. He threw a downer curveball in high school, but he ditched it in college in favor of an 81-84 mph slider that flashes plus potential. Baltimore likely will stick with the slider, but could bring back the curve as well. His low-80s changeup is a work in progress. Kline has a live, explosive body with long limbs. The Orioles have worked to add athleticism back into his delivery, which was removed in favor of Virginia's formulaic motion, in which pitchers start from a squat and stay low throughout. There never has been any question about his clean, quick arm action. Baltimore lauds his aptitude and intelligence. Some scouts see Kline as a mid-rotation starter, while others think he's destined for the bullpen. The Orioles like his chances of staying in the rotation and will send him to one of their Class A affiliates.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #87 prospect in 2012 draft
  As a high schooler in Maryland, Kline came on strong late in 2009. He told teams he had no interest in signing, but the Red Sox tried anyway, drafting him in the sixth round. Kline stuck to his word and went to Virginia, where he pitched mostly in relief as a freshman and as the closer in 2011. He moved to the rotation as a junior and has seen mixed results. He was 6-3, 3.52 in 72 innings with 76 strikeouts and 31 walks, but had a stretch of starts when he allowed just 19 hits and eight walks in 34 innings while striking out 40. Kline has a good, lean pitcher's frame at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds, with long limbs and projection remaining. Most of Virginia's pitchers adopt similar deliveries in which they start in a squat position and stay low throughout, and this style has prevented Kline from consistently staying on top of his pitches and commanding them. When Kline is on, his fastball can sit in the low 90s. His secondary stuff has been inconsistent and tends to blend together, but his slider can be a power pitch in the low 80s. Teams could try to iron his delivery out so he can reach his ceiling as a mid-rotation starter, but he could pitch with power stuff as a reliever as well.

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: The Orioles have plenty of history with Kline, who grew up in Frederick, Md., the site of their high Class A affiliate. They liked him out of high school in 2009 but knew he was strongly committed to Virginia, as the Red Sox learned when they took him in the sixth round. Despite his inconsistent college career, they took him in the second round last June and signed him for $793,700. Scouting Report: Kline's fastball sits at 92-95 mph, though it's a little straight. He threw a downer curveball in high school, but he ditched it in college in favor of an 81-84 mph slider that flashes plus potential. Baltimore likely will stick with the slider, but could bring back the curve as well. His low-80s changeup is a work in progress. Kline has a live, explosive body with long limbs. The Orioles have worked to add athleticism back into his delivery, which was removed in favor of Virginia's formulaic motion, in which pitchers start from a squat and stay low throughout. There never has been any question about his clean, quick arm action. Baltimore lauds Kline's aptitude and intelligence. The Future: Some scouts see Kline as a mid-rotation starter, while others think he's destined for the bullpen. The Orioles like his chances of staying in the rotation and will send him to one of their Class A affiliates.