Kremer dazzles in big league debut for O's

Dean Kremer didn't have a lot of time to prepare for his Major League debut on Sunday, but that didn't stop the 24-year-old from making it one of the most memorable debuts in franchise history.

The Orioles’ No. 10 prospect allowed one run on one hit while striking out seven over six innings as Baltimore posted a 5-1 win over the Yankees at Camden Yards. Kremer retired 12 consecutive batters at one point and tossed 47 of his 88 pitches for strikes.

The right-hander received a phone call on Saturday night at 10:30 p.m. that he would get the ball on Sunday for the Orioles' 1:05 p.m. start at Camden Yards.

"[General manager Mike] Elias and [manager Brandon] Hyde gave me the call and they were like, 'Hey, you wanna come pitch tomorrow?'" he told reporters after the game. "I was pretty excited. I got enough sleep, but my mind was racing that late at night. So I'm happy that my body held up and could still perform."

Kremer became the first O's starter to win his debut in The Show since Josh Rogers on Aug. 28, 2018 and the first to fan at least seven in his debut since John Parrish on July 24, 2000. The California native also became the fourth Baltimore starter to throw at least six innings of one-hit ball in his debut since Chris Waters in 2008. The only other pitcher to do that in the big leagues this season is third-ranked Braves prospect Ian Anderson.

"It's a dream come true," Kramer said. "We practice every day for years to get to this point, so just to have had it is a dream come true."

👋, Baltimore!

No. 10 #Orioles prospect Dean Kremer introduced himself to O's faithful with a final line of 6 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 7 K in his Major League debut today. pic.twitter.com/tWzmQCxG1m

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 6, 2020

Kremer kicked off his afternoon by striking out DJ LeMahieu and Luke Voit to open the game. He encountered his only trouble in the second inning, issuing a leadoff walk to Clint Frazier, yielding a one-out single to Miguel Andujar and loading the bases by walking Mike Tauchman. After Erik Kratz plated a run with a RBI fielder’s choice, Kremer froze Tyler Wade on a third strike.

"After that inning, we just talked to each other and I just reminded him to stay on the attack," batterymate Bryan Holaday said. "Just keep attacking these guys, just keep being aggressive in the strike zone and put the pressure on them. He did exactly that after that inning.

"Being a young guy against the New York Yankees, the game can speed up on you. But he really handled it well. He maintained his composure and he really acted like he'd been there before. So that presence that he brought was huge. That speaks a lot for his character."

The right-hander cruised the rest of the way. Counting Kratz and Wade, Kremer retired 12 in a row from the second inning through the first out in the sixth. After Voit drew the last of three walks issued by the 24-year-old, Kremer retired Brett Gardner on a line drive to right field, then fanned Frazier for his final out.

"I was really impressed with how he handled that second inning," Hyde said. "Really hitting adversity for the first time -- a little bit of a command issue in that second inning -- and to be able to wiggle out of it, only allowing a run, and then toss four really good innings. That showed a lot about his character and his poise."

Selected by the Dodgers out of UNLV in the 14th round of the 2016 Draft, Kremer became the first Isreali citizen to sign with a Major League team. He was traded to the Orioles as part of the July 18, 2018 deal that sent big league third baseman Manny Machado to Hollywood. Last year, his first full season in the Baltimore system, Kremer pitched for Class A Advanced Frederick, Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk, going 10-5 with a 2.88 ERA in 25 starts. Over 131 1/3 innings, the California native recorded 122 strikeouts and walked only 37.

Kremer also became the first Israeli citizen to pitch in the Majors.

"It's awesome to be able to hold the torch, so to speak, for guys like me," he said. "There is a list and it's growing every year. We're just showing the kids over there that it's possible."

Two nights after helping his team snap a 19-game skid against the Yanks, fifth-ranked Orioles prospect Ryan Mountcastle went 0-for-2 but worked a walk and plated a run with a sacrifice fly in the of the seventh inning.

A special postgame message to @DJ_KREY6 from his family following his debut. pic.twitter.com/pIf6Cg0I4f

— Baltimore Orioles 😷 (@Orioles) September 6, 2020

In other action:

Mets 14, Phillies 1

No. 89 overall prospect Andrés Giménez came through with a bases-loaded two-out knock to extend the Mets' lead to 4-1 in the fourth inning. It was the second straight two-RBI effort for the 22-year-old, who's 6-for-16 in September to get his slash line up to .282/.329/.385 through 33 games. Top Phillies prospect Alec Bohm went 0-for-4 with four strikeouts, while 17th-ranked Mauricio Llovera was roughed up for four runs on five hits in one inning in his big league debut. Box score

Rays 5, Marlins 4

Marlins No. 9 prospect Trevor Rogers continued his impressive rookie season, striking out 10 over six innings. The southpaw allowed three runs on four hits and a walk, throwing 65 of his 100 pitches for strikes. Jazz Chisholm, MLB Pipeline's No. 68 overall prospect, picked up his first big league hit with a single to right field in the seventh against left-hander reliever Aaron Loup. It wasn't just action at the plate for Chisholm, either, who flashed leather in the field. Box score

In his first two big league starts in August, No. 9 #Marlins prospect Trevor Rogers struck out 11 total.

In his first outing of September, he was one shy of matching that mark over six stellar innings. pic.twitter.com/Cj2y88oymg

— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) September 6, 2020

Angels 9, Astros 5

Top Los Angeles prospect Jo Adell delivered his third career multi-hit game and is 5-for-12 with three RBIs and three runs scored in his last three contests. The 21-year-old lined a double to right field in the third inning, moved up on a wild pitch and scored on a sacrifice fly by Jared Walsh. In the eighth, Adell beat out an infield single, took third on a single by Max Stassi and came home on a knock by Walsh. Box score

Pirates 3, Reds 2

No. 2 Pittsburgh prospect Ke'Bryan Hayes posted his second straight multi-hit game, picking up a pair of singles to raise his average to .389. The 23-year-old has collected more than one hit in three of five big league appearances. Tejay Antone made his third Major League start for Cincinnati. The Reds' No. 23 prospect allowed a run on five hits and two walks while striking out six over five frames. Box score

Braves 10, Nationals 3

Fifth-ranked Braves prospect Bryse Wilson pitched the ninth and gave up two runs on four hits with one strikeout. Top Washington prospect Carter Kieboom singled in the fifth inning and is 2-for-8 since rejoining the club from its alternate training site. No. 2 Luis Garcia went 0-for-2 and exited in the sixth after suffering an apparent bruised heel. Box score

Rockies 7, Dodgers 6

Colorado’s No. 18 prospect Josh Fuentes connected on his first homer of the season – a two-run shot to left field -- while extended his hitting streak to a career-long eight games. Dating back to his callup last Sept. 3, the 27-year-old has hit safely in 13 of 14 starts, including all six this season. No. 14 Ryan Castellani gave up four runs on six hits and four walks in 4 1/3 frames. The 2014 second-rounder struck out one in his sixth start in seven outings for the Rockies. Top Los Angeles prospect Gavin Lux went 0-for-4 with a walk as his average fell to .148 in eight games this season. Fourth-ranked Brusdar Graterol induced two outs in the seventh, giving up one hit in his 16th appearance of the year. Box score

Padres 5, A’s 3

Padres No. 13 prospect Jake Cronenworth doubled twice and drove in a run to raise his batting average to .336. Top A's prospect Sean Murphy smacked his third dinger, a solo shot in the seventh inning. Box score

Blue Jays 10, Red Sox 8

Thomas Hatch, Toronto’s 23rd-ranked prospect, pitched around a walk and a hit batter over 1 2/3 hitless innings to earn his third win. No. 3 Red Sox prospect Bobby Dalbec clubbed his third Major League homer, a solo shot in the fourth, and walked in five plate appearances. Box score

White Sox 8, Royals 2

No. 12 prospect Carlos Hernandez allowed a run on three hits and a walk while striking out two over 2 2/3 innings out of the Kansas City bullpen. The right-hander has a 1.42 ERA in two relief appearances. Box score

Tigers 10, Twins 8

Second-ranked Tigers prospect Casey Mize yielded three runs on five hits and a pair of walks while fanning three over four innings. He did not factor in the decision. No. 30 Rony Garcia relieved Mize and allowed three runs on three hits and two walks while recording two outs. Twins No. 12 prospect Brent Rooker doubled in two runs in the fifth and came around to score on a base hit by Jake Cave. Box score

Mariners 4, Rangers 3

Fifth-ranked M's prospect Evan White went 0-for-4, but No. 9 prospect Justin Dunn earned his third win after yielding two runs on four hits and four walks with four punchouts over six frames. Rangers No. 3 prospect Leody Taveras homered and doubled out of the leadoff spot, while seventh-ranked Anderson Tejeda was 0-for-4. Box score