The Los Angeles Dodgers traded Minor Leaguer pitcher Axel Perez to the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for Chayce McDermott.
Perez joined the organization when he signed as an international free agent out of the Dominican Republic on Jan. 15, 2024. The right-hander went 1-1 with a 5.48 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) for the Dominican Summer League Dodgers last year.
That marked his professional debut, and Perez presumably was going to remain in the DSL as he was not included on a roster for any of the Dodgers’ full-season Minor League affiliates this year.
Chayce McDermott traded
The Dodgers acquiring McDermott marks a second instance this week they have added a former top pitching prospect. He was designated for assignment on April 11 as a corresponding move to the Orioles calling up Maverick Handle while putting Adley Rutschman on the 10-day injured list with left ankle inflammation.
Like with Griff McGarry, McDermott was assigned to Triple-A Oklahoma City. McDermott was drafted out of Ball State University by the Houston Astros in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft. The right-hander made his MLB debut with the Orioles in 2024, though only started one game.
McDermott also pitched in four games (one start) for Baltimore last year. He went a combined 0-1 with a 12.79 ERA and 2.45 WHIP in the five Major League games.
McDermott gained notoriety as an Orioles pitching prospect in 2023, when he pitched to a combined 3.10 ERA for Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk. Then in 2024, McDermott went 4-5 and sported a 3.78 ERA across 22 games (21 starts) at the Triple-A level.
There then was significant regression last year, as McDermott pitched to a 6.91 ERA through his first 11 starts with the Tides. Included in that stretch was allowing six home runs and walking 36 batters in 43 innings pitched.
That prompted a move to the bullpen, which brought about improvement after allowing five runs in his first relief appearance. McDermott went on to have a 1.76 ERA over his next 14 games out of the bullpen.
However, that success did not continue upon joining the Orioles in the middle of September, as he allowed four runs in both relief appearances.
So far this season, the 27-year-old is 1-0 with a 6.75 ERA and 2.06 WHIP in five Minor League games. One bright point for McDermott this season is averaging a career-high 95.3 mph on his four-seam fastball. It’s paired with a cutter and slider, and no longer thrown as frequently are a curveball and changeup.
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