Kevin Gausman to make major league debut on Thursday

A few days after GM Dan Duquette stated that pitching prospect Kevin Gausman was doing just fine in AA and would not be called up, the Orioles have done exactly that. They will call up Gausman to make his major league debut vs the Blue Jays on Thursday evening.

Gausman was the fourth overall pick in the 2012 MLB Amateur draft, and has moved quickly in the Orioles farm system. He pitched so well in spring training that the team was confident enough to start him in AA this season, after just 5 starts and 15 innings or work last season in High A and rookie league.

He didn't disappoint in AA either, In 8 starts at AA Bowie, Gausman went 2-4 with a 3.11 ERA, 1.058 WHIP and a 49-5 strikeout to walk rate in 46.1 innings.

Back in early April, Jason Hunt wrote this Coming Soon to a Stadium Near You piece on Gausman, and here is what he had to say about him:

There has been discussion before that Gausman would not need much time in the minors, and he could see a promotion to the Majors at some point during this season.

Gausman profiles as at least a top 50 starting pitcher in the long term, providing excellent rate stats and an above-average strikeout total. There is potential for even more if everything works out perfectly, and seems most likely to settle in as a top 25 starting pitcher.

It will take Gausman some time to be a top 50 starter unless he goes all Matt Harvey on us, and I am not saying he won't though.

The Orioles have lost seven of their last nine games and are looking for Gausman to solidify a bad rotation. I assume he will be up for awhile, so you should feel confident grabbing him in all leagues.