Cam Sanders and Alex Hoppe both did exactly what the Orioles needed them to do when the chance finally came.
Baltimore spent the season searching for reliable bullpen help, and that opened the door for a pair of arms that arrived with little fanfare and plenty to prove. Sanders came in via a July 13 purchase from the Pirates after Pittsburgh designated him for assignment. Hoppe arrived in a deal with Seattle that brought back the reliever and two pitching prospects for outfielder Taylor Ward.
Sanders’ path in Baltimore started with a quick detour to Triple-A, but he was back in less than a week and wasted no time making an impression. In his first two outings, the 29-year-old picked up his first career win and his first career save. He got two outs in a 3-2 win over the Astros, then slammed the door in a wild 4-2 extra-inning victory the next night.
Baltimore sent Sanders back down after those appearances, then recalled him again on August 10. From there, he turned in a solid run for the Orioles, finishing with a 2.40 ERA across 19 games in orange and black. He struck out 27 and walked 10.
For a pitcher who had only 17 major league innings before arriving in Baltimore, the stuff was never really in doubt. Sanders had joined Pittsburgh as a minor league free agent and made six big league appearances in 2025.
The Pirates liked the arm strength and the swing-and-miss slider. He averaged 96 MPH with his fastball and posted a sub-3 ERA in 22 games at Pittsburgh’s Triple-A affiliate, even if the big league results never followed.
The Orioles had room to audition relievers all season long. Keegan Akin and Ryan Helsley both missed significant time with injury.
Tyler Wells was dealt to the future American League champs, and Félix Bautista didn’t come back until the end of the season. Yennier Cano got an extension, Rico Garcia flashed, and there were plenty of innings available for anyone willing to take them.
Sanders joined that group with Grant Wolfram, Anthony Nunez and Josh Walker trying to show they belonged.
Hoppe stepped into a similar opening after coming over from Seattle, where he had posted a 5.79 ERA in 24 games before the trade. Baltimore gave him the same kind of look, and the results were encouraging.
The 27-year-old brought a triple-digit fastball, a slider and a sinker, and Baseball Savant listed eight changeups in 2026 as well. The fastball was the pitch that grabbed attention, though, and he used it to carve out a meaningful role.
Over 18 appearances with the Orioles, Hoppe posted a 1.84 ERA. He added four holds, one save and one win, giving Baltimore another useful late-inning option.
The larger bullpen picture still has some question marks heading toward 2027. It’s unclear what Garcia will look like next season, and Sanders and Wolfram still have work to do if they want to take another step.
Hoppe and Nunez feel like a different tier, though. Both have the kind of high-leverage ceiling that could matter for a while.
Hoppe has two minor league options heading into next year, and he’ll go to Sarasota with a real shot to win a bullpen job, even if nothing is guaranteed. Sanders also has one minor league option left. Relievers can change quickly from one season to the next, and Baltimore’s front office has been willing to keep hunting for value in that kind of volatility.
The Orioles have taken some heat over the years, but they’ve also found a few useful pitchers out of nowhere. Sanders and Hoppe gave them a good reminder of how that can work.
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