The most advanced pitching prospect acquired in the Manny Machado deal, Kremer arrived in the Orioles’ system on the heels of a dominant first half in the Class A Advanced California League, where he racked up 114 strikeouts in 79 innings in his second crack at the level. He then pitched to a 2.84 ERA over 23 starts at Double-A Bowie from 2018-2019, earning a late-season promotion to Triple-A last season. Kremer struggled initially in four starts at Norfolk, but rebounded with a strong Arizona Fall League performance. A former 14th round Draft pick, Kremer was the first Israeli citizen to sign with an MLB organization when the Dodgers inked him for $147,500 in 2016.
Kremer’s best pitch is his curveball, which he throws comfortably both in and outside the strike zone and in any count. It especially gets swings-and-misses when paired with his two-seam fastball, which sits 92-94 but can sniff 95-96 mph. The late, arm-side run Kremer gets with that pitch makes it particularly effective against left-handed hitters, against whom he also mixes in a fringy but improving changeup. He rounds out his arsenal with a slider could become an average pitch with better command.
Kremer got a late start in 2019 due to an oblique injury, and there are some minor durability concerns regarding his 6-foot-3, 180-pound frame. But if he can stay healthy, his makeup, pitchability and four-pitch mix give him the look of a future No. 4 starter with a long-man reliever floor.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 55 | Curveball: 60 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 50
Undrafted out of high school, Kremer attended San Joaquin Delta (Calif.) JC and became the first Israeli citizen to be selected in the MLB Draft when the Padres took him in the 38th round in 2015. The next year, after a transfer to Nevada-Las Vegas, Kremer became the first to sign with an MLB organization when the Dodgers paid him $147,500 as a 14th-rounder. Kremer struggled as a swingman in the California League in his first full season but returned to the level in 2018 and dominated as a starter. The performance netted Kremer his first Double-A promotion in early July, though he would make only one Texas League start (a seven-inning, 11-strikeout gem) before heading to the Orioles as one of five prospects dealt by the Dodgers to get Manny Machado. He was excellent in eight starts for Double-A Bowie after the trade to finish his breakout campaign with a 2.88 ERA and a Minor League-best 178 strikeouts. His progress delayed by an oblique injury at the outset of 2019, though he made a healthy return to the mound in May.
The Dodgers had Kremer focus on throwing his curveball more in 2018, and it quickly became his best weapon. It's a plus pitch with big break that nets him whiffs both inside and out of the zone, one he's comfortable throwing it in any count. Kremer's fastball is lively, as he'll operate at 91-95 mph and touch 96, with late, arm-side run. He fills out his four-pitch mix with a slider that flashes above-average potential and a fringy changeup that requires further development. He throws strikes with his entire arsenal and has the ability to retire hitters on both sides of the plate.
Kremer didn't start pitching full-time until he got to junior college and was young for his draft class, so there's reason to believe he has even more room to develop. He looks like a future No. 4 starter given his current profile, though improvements to his slider and changeup could push him higher up the rotational hierarchy.
Scouting grades: Fastball: 60 | Curveball: 55 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 45 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45
Kremer became the first Israeli citizen drafted when the Padres took him out of San Joaquin Delta (Calif.) JC in the 38th round of the 2015 Draft, and the first to sign with an MLB organization when the Dodgers paid him $147,500 as a 14th-rounder out of Nevada-Las Vegas a year later. He has extensive experience pitching with Israeli national teams and worked an inning in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. Kremer struggled as a swingman in high Class A last year but returned to level in 2018 and dominated as a starter. The performance netted Kremer his first Double-A promotion in early July, though he would make only one Texas League start (a seven-inning, 11-strikeout gem) before heading to the Orioles as one of five prospects dealt by the Dodgers to get Manny Machado.
Kremer's best pitch is a fastball that sits at 91-95 mph, touches 97 and plays better than its velocity thanks to some armside run. He backs up his heater with a big-breaking curveball that he can land for strikes or get hitters to chase out of the zone. He has made improvements with his slider and changeup, which has helped fuel his success in 2018.
He's also locating his pitches better this year, enhancing Kremer's chances of remaining a starter. He has demonstrated a consistent ability to miss bats that also could make him useful as a late-inning reliever. He didn't start pitching full-time until he got to junior college and was young for his draft class, so he has more room to develop than the typical pitcher in his third year in pro ball.
