Parker Bridwell

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #21 prospect in 2017
  Bridwell starred in three sports as a prep, and some college programs looked at him as a quarterback. He was committed to Texas Tech before signing with the Orioles for an over-slot $625,000. Bridwell's raw athleticism didn't translate well initially and he advanced slowly as a pro, not advancing past Class A until his sixth season in 2015. After more than 600 innings in the minors and a broken rib that cost him two months in 2016, the Orioles transitioned Bridwell from the Double-A Bowie rotation to a bullpen role. He took to it and zoomed up the system, making his major league debut with two relief appearances in August. Bridwell throws a solid-average fastball that sits in the low 90s and touches the mid-90s, but commanding it has often been an issue. His changeup is a clear plus pitch he throws with good arm speed and movement, and he rounds out his arsenal with a fringe-average slider and a curveball he added in 2016. Bridwell no longer has the mid-rotation upside he once did, but is still an advanced prospect that should begin 2017 at Triple-A Norfolk with a chance to impact the Baltimore bullpen during the year.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #22 prospect in 2016
  After making 79 starts between 2011 and 2014 at both Class A levels, Bridwell made his Double-A Bowie debut in 2015 and pitched well before his year ended a month early with elbow tendinitis. He had a platelet-rich plasma injection, resumed throwing and felt fine, and he is expected to be ready for spring training. Bridwell, who has lacked consistency over his career, put together a good run at Bowie, allowing two earned runs or fewer in seven of his last nine starts. His walk rate of 3.5 per nine innings was a career best but he still needs gains in control and command. Bridwell was a three-sport star as a prep, and some college programs looked at him as a quarterback before he signed with the Orioles in 2010. Bridwell's fastball sits between 90-93 mph and touches 95. His changeup is a clear plus pitch with good arm speed and movement and is well ahead of his inconsistent slider. One scout called it the best changeup in the Eastern League. He has an active delivery with head movement and high effort that could lead to a future in the bullpen. Added to the 40-man roster in November, Bridwell will likely start the 2016 season at Double-A Bowie.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #22 prospect in 2015
  Bridwell's above-average stuff makes him a prospect, but his inconsistency keeps him from being a better one. He can wow observers with performances like his late-season, eight-inning one-hitter with no walks and 13 strikeouts for high Class A Frederick. A three-sport star at Hereford (Texas) High, Bridwell drew some interest from college football programs as a quarterback before the Orioles drafted him in 2010. He led the organization in strikeouts in 2013 and was third with 142 in 2014. Bridwell's fastball sits in the 90-93 mph range, touching 95. He often struggles with command and repeating his delivery. His changeup is his best secondary pitch, ahead of his slider, with swing-and-miss potential. Bridwell is athletic with a good feel for pitching, if not pitch execution. He did well in a bullpen role in the Arizona Fall League, a possible glimpse into his future, but will remain in the rotation at Double-A Bowie.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #19 prospect in 2014
  A three-sport prep athlete, Bridwell drew interest from college football programs as a quarterback before the Orioles drafted him. He has lacked consistency since signing out of high school in 2010, and if he finds it he could rocket up this list. He repeated low Class A Delmarva in 2013 and improved his performance, leading the organization with 144 strikeouts in 143 innings. One scout said some nights Bridwell looks like he can pitch in Baltimore, citing an August start when he threw eight shutout innings of two-hit ball with no walks and 14 strikeouts. It was the most strikeouts by a Shorebirds starter since Erik Bedard fanned 14 in 2000. In the two starts before that outing, however, Bridwell gave up 12 runs with just 10 strikeouts. He works primarily off an 89-93 mph fastball that touches 95 and parks around 90 with life and sink. His changeup is solid-average, and his curveball has been below-average but has improved. His arm is quick, helping him get through a stab in his backswing that inhibits the consistency of his breaking ball. Sometimes he rushes and gets underneath the ball, and his lower half can be an issue. Bridwell's modest control and live arm portend a future move to the bullpen, but he has shown the durability to start. He'll move up to high Class A Frederick in 2014.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #23 prospect in 2013
  A three-sport high school star who drew interest from college football programs as a quarterback, Bridwell passed up a baseball commitment to Texas Tech for a chance to pursue his lifelong dream of playing professional baseball. The Orioles selected him in the ninth round in 2010 and signed him for an over-slot $625,000 bonus. He ranked No. 4 on this list a year ago before getting hit hard in low Class A for the second straight season. Despite his struggles, scouts still like Bridwell's long, loose frame and live arm. His fastball works anywhere from 87-94 mph with good sink, though his velocity dipped late in 2012 as his innings accumulated. His overhand curveball shows the most potential among his secondary pitches. He also throws a slider and changeup. Baltimore has worked with Bridwell to smooth out his delivery, though he has trouble repeating it, which leads to varying arm angles and wavering command. Given his lack of experience, the Orioles think Bridwell just needs time to develop. The raw material is there for a mid-rotation starter, but he's a long way from reaching his ceiling. He may see more time in Delmarva to open the 2013 season.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #4 prospect in 2012
  Bridwell was a legitimate prospect in both football and baseball coming out of high school, and he also played basketball. He passed up a baseball scholarship at Texas Tech to sign as a ninth-round pick out of the 2010 draft for an above-slot $625,000. He opened the 2011 season in extended spring and then struggled in low Class A, so he stepped back to short-season Aberdeen and fared better there. As a less-heralded Texas prep pitching prospect with a heavy fastball, Bridwell is a righthanded version of Zach Britton, though his sinker isn't as dynamic. Bridwell is athletic with a live arm, and the ball jumps out of his hand. He pitches at 89-92 mph and can touch 95 with his fastball. He throws both a good downer curveball and a second breaking ball with more power. He shows good feel for his changeup, which he rarely used in high school. Bridwell is working on his control and command, understandable given his level of experience. His delivery tends to get off balance as his pitch count rises. The Orioles still are working through some basics with Bridwell, such as smoothing out his mechanics and building his arm strength, but the raw material is there for at least a mid-rotation starter. He'll go back to Delmarva to begin 2012.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #12 prospect in 2011
  Though he was known better as a football prospect coming out of high school in Texas, Bridwell's lifelong dream had been to play professional baseball. He was a quarterback in high school (and played basketball as well), throwing for 4,789 yards and 36 touchdowns in his career, with 10 rushing TDs. He drew football recruiting interest before accepting a baseball scholarship from Texas Tech, but then Baltimore took him in the ninth round and signed him for an above-slot $625,000 bonus. Bridwell has an ideal pitcher's frame with a lanky, athletic build that offers lots of room for projection. He already can dial his fastball into the low 90s, touching 94. The ball jumps out of his hand and his pitches all show good life. He throws both a curveball and slider. He's developing a changeup, which he rarely threw in high school. His command will need polish, and he'll require lots of innings because of his limited baseball experience. He'll try to win a spot in the low Class A rotation this year.

Minor League Top Prospects

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  Ranked New York-Penn League #10 prospect in 2011
  A three-sport star in high school, the athletic Bridwell who drew interest from college football programs as a quarterback. He passed up a commitment to Texas Tech to sign for $625,000 as a ninth-round pick last year. He started 2011 in low Class A and was hit hard, so the Orioles sent him back to Aberdeen to build some confidence. Bridwell has a live arm and the makings of three average or better pitches. His bread and butter is a heavy sinker that ranges from 87-95 mph, sitting mostly at 89-92. He throws a quick, late power breaking ball that looks like his fastball and then breaks across the zone with depth when it's on. Bridwell significantly improved his feel for his changeup this summer, and it projects as an average pitch in time. He's still learning to repeat his delivery, maintain his balance and understand what pitches to throw in different situations. His command and overall feel for pitching are progressing nicely, and he has plenty of time to fine-tune his craft.

• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Bridwell was a legitimate prospect in both football and baseball coming out of high school, and he also played basketball. He passed up a baseball scholarship at Texas Tech to sign as a ninth-round pick out of the 2010 draft for an above-slot $625,000. He opened the 2011 season in extended spring and then struggled in low Class A, so he stepped back to short-season Aberdeen and fared better there. Scouting Report: As a less-heralded Texas prep pitching prospect with a heavy fastball, Bridwell is a righthanded version of Zach Britton, though his sinker isn't as dynamic. Bridwell is athletic with a live arm, and the ball jumps out of his hand. He pitches at 89-92 mph and can touch 95 with his fastball. He throws both a good downer curveball and a second breaking ball with more power. He shows good feel for his changeup, which he rarely used in high school. Bridwell is working on his control and command, understandable given his level of experience. His delivery tends to get off balance as his pitch count rises. The Future: The Orioles still are working through some basics with Bridwell, such as smoothing out his mechanics and building his arm strength, but the raw material is there for at least a mid-rotation starter. He'll go back to Delmarva to begin 2012.