Kevin Gausman

Career

Gausman attended Grandview High School in Centennial, Colorado, where he played for the school's baseball team as a pitcher.

The Los Angeles Dodgers selected Gausman in the sixth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball Draft, but he did not sign. He attended Louisiana State University (LSU), where he played college baseball for the LSU Tigers baseball team. He was then drafted by the Baltimore Orioles fourth overall in the 2012 MLB Draft. He was an All-American in 2012 at LSU. He signed with the Orioles for $4.32 million on July 13, 2012.

Gausman started the 2013 season with the Double-A Bowie Baysox until the Orioles promoted him to the major leagues to make his debut in Toronto against the Blue Jays on May 23, 2013. In his debut against the Blue Jays, Gausman pitched five innings and allowed seven hits, four runs and two walks, also adding five strikeouts. Gausman picked up the loss as the Orioles fell 12-6 to the Blue Jays. On June 14, Gausman was optioned to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He was recalled on June 24. On June 28, Gausman earned his first Major League win, against the Yankees, pitching in relief of T. J. McFarland, going 4 1/3 innings, striking out four and allowing no walks and three hits. He was optioned back to Norfolk on July 10. He was again recalled from the Norfolk Tides on August 28, and earned his second big league win on September 1, also against the Yankees, but at Yankee Stadium.

2014 Season

On June 7, 2014, Gausman earned his first win as a starting pitcher, going 7 innings against the Oakland Athletics, allowing only 1 run, walking 1, and striking out 6. Following the best outing of his young career, Gausman pitched against the AL East leading Toronto Blue Jays where he went 6 Innings, again allowing 1 run and striking out three. In the 2014 postseason, Gausman pitched out of the bullpen for the Orioles. Gausman pitched eight innings in three relief appearances, posting a 1.13 ERA and an 0.75 WHIP. The Orioles would sweep the Tigers in the ALDS before being swept in the ALCS by the Kansas City Royals.

Gausman finished the 2014 campaign having made 20 starts, with one complete game (5-innings), posting a 3.57 ERA and a 7-7 win/loss record.

2015 Season

Gausman made 25 appearances in 2015 (17 starts). He posted a moderate 4.25 ERA, but struck out a career-high 103 batters, averaging 8.3 K/9. He posted a 4-7 record, as the Orioles finished 81-81 and didn't make the playoffs.

2016 Season

Gausman started the season on the DL, but returned ready to prove he was at his best. He made his season debut on April 25 against the Rays, earning a tough loss after going five innings and giving up only one run on three hits. He earned a no decision in his very next start as the Orioles lost 8-7 against the White Sox. Gausman went six innings, allowing three runs (two earned). His very next start was the best of his career, as he pitched eight shutout innings, allowing only three hits, no walks, and striking out four batters. He earned a tough no decision, as the Orioles would eventually win the game 1-0 in the tenth inning.

Gausman pitched to a 4.15 ERA in 15 pre-All Star Break starts. He had a tough 1-6 record, as his run support was very low.

On August 28, Gausman pitched 7 scoreless innings against the Yankees, raising his scoreless innings streak to 13 ²⁄₃ innings. In his very next start against the Yankees, Gausman pitched six shutout innings, raising his scoreless innings streak to 19 ²⁄₃ innings. He fanned eight batters and won his career-high fourth straight start. Gausman also tied his career high with his seventh win of the year, while lowering his ERA down to 3.58. He extended the scoreless innings streak to 21 ¹⁄₃ against the Tigers, before allowing a run in the second inning of a 4-3 loss. Following this start, he threw eight scoreless innings in a 1-0 victory over the Red Sox. He improved to 8-10 on the year and lowered his ERA to 3.43.

2017 Season

On March 28, Gausman was named the Orioles' Opening Day starting pitcher for the first time in his career. He pitched 5.1 innings on Opening Day, allowing two runs on five hits and four walks, while also striking out four batters. Gausman earned the no decision. On May 3, 2017, Gausman was ejected for the first time in his Major League career after hitting Xander Bogaerts with a pitch.

On July 29, Gausman pitched the longest outing of his career against the Texas Rangers, going 8 ²⁄₃ shutout innings while striking out eight batters and earning the victory.

Pitching style

Gausman throws five pitches, all with above average velocity: a four seam fastball at 96–99 miles per hour (154–159 km/h) (tops out at 101 miles per hour (163 km/h)), a sinker at 93–96 miles per hour (150–154 km/h), a slider at 83–86 miles per hour (134–138 km/h), a splitter at 84–86 miles per hour (135–138 km/h), and a changeup at 84–89 miles per hour (135–143 km/h).