The Baltimore Orioles are no strangers to unearthing hidden gems for their bullpen, from the rise of All-Star closer Felix Bautista to the unexpected dominance of setup men Yennier Cano and Cionel Perez. But here’s where it gets exciting: two under-the-radar relievers, Anthony Nunez and Cameron Foster, could be the next breakout stars in Baltimore’s revamped bullpen. And this is the part most people miss—these aren’t just any prospects; they’re players with unique journeys and untapped potential.
Acquired in separate trades with the Mets during the 2025 deadline—Nunez for Cedric Mullins and Foster for Gregory Soto—both pitchers were swiftly added to the 40-man roster in the fall. Now, they’re knocking on the door to make the Opening Day bullpen after an impressive spring training.
“They both threw great for us after the trade deadline,” Orioles president of baseball operations Mike Elias said. “We’re excited about them.” But what makes them stand out? Let’s dive in.
Anthony Nunez, a 24-year-old with a story that’s as unique as his pitch repertoire, began his career as an infielder. Drafted by the Padres out of high school in 2019, he was released in 2021 and found himself at Division II Tampa, where he excelled as a hitter and helped the team win a national championship in 2024—all while transitioning to pitching. Talk about a career reboot! Last season, he split time across three levels, finishing at Triple-A Norfolk with a staggering 38% strikeout rate, a 2.06 ERA, and a 0.81 WHIP over 56.2 innings. His arsenal? A pair of upper-90s fastballs, a wicked changeup, and a sweeper that could be plus pitches in the future. But here’s the controversial part: Can a converted infielder truly dominate at the major league level? Only time will tell, but the Orioles are betting big on his upside.
Cameron Foster, who turns 27 this season, dominated the Eastern League before the trade and held his own at Triple-A afterward, posting a 3.38 ERA with a 33% strikeout rate. His mid-90s four-seamer and high-80s cutter are his calling cards, but it’s his ability to miss bats that has the Orioles intrigued. The question is: Can he translate his minor league success to the big leagues, especially in a bullpen that’s still finding its identity?
The Orioles’ bullpen hierarchy is far from settled behind closer Ryan Helsley and veteran Andrew Kittredge. And this is where the debate heats up: With so many unproven arms vying for spots, who will emerge as the reliable bridge to the late innings? Nunez and Foster are certainly in the mix, but they’ll face stiff competition from other young arms. What do you think? Are Nunez and Foster the real deal, or are they just the latest in a long line of bullpen experiments? Let us know in the comments—this is one conversation you won’t want to miss!
