Cade Povich’s locker in the Orioles clubhouse has changed locations a few times this year. A prospect who bounces between the majors and Triple-A as he has doesn’t have a claim to any one spot like veterans do.
Earlier this season, Povich spent most of his time before and after games sitting at his nomadic cubby. The left-hander scrolled through his phone, rearranged clothes and studied opponent scouting reports there. He was a shy, young player trying to prove he belonged but still unsure how to do so.
“Eventually, they feel brave enough to start asking questions,” Corbin Burnes said.
Povich, after extended struggles and several demotions and calls-up, finally arrived at that point. He went to the best pitcher in Baltimore’s clubhouse for answers. Povich needed to know how to better prepare for his starts, attack hitters differently and feel like himself again. He knew Burnes could help.
The former Cy Young Award winner gave Povich those solutions. Success with the Orioles has still eluded Povich but he’s pitching with a revitalized confidence that he hopes translates to wins and keeps him in Baltimore.
“The big thing is just wanting to continue to stay up here,” Povich said. “Whatever I was doing obviously wasn’t working.”
Burnes, a seven-year MLB veteran, was once that young pitcher trying to break in with the Milwaukee Brewers. He remembers that experience and now takes pride in helping his new teammates do the same.
The Orioles traded for the successful veteran in January hoping he’d offer that presence for their pitching staff. It’s the same role Jordan Lyles and Kyle Gibson once played, except Burnes has been one of the sport’s best pitchers for half a decade.
“When young guys come up, they’re trying to get acclimated in the big leagues, trying to figure out their role on a team and see where they fit in,” Burnes said. “You don’t want to go right to him and overload him with information. You let them have a little taste of success or prolonged difficulties, then you go to them.”
Burnes is eager to be the one young players go to for guidance. And he’s gotten better at providing it. He doesn’t take the initiative. Instead, he waits for them to realize they need it.
Povich had a 6.27 ERA over his first eight starts across two big league stints. He nearly walked more batters than he struck out. That led him to Burnes.
Preparation was what Povich felt he lacked the most. He struggled initially with an overload of information on opponents the Orioles give their pitchers. That often scrambled his brain while on the mound and pulled his focus elsewhere.
One day, Povich noticed Burnes writing in a pocket-size notebook. Povich asked what it was, and Burnes recommended he get one for himself.
Povich now spends a few minutes before and after every game with his head in a similar notepad. There, he consolidates all the scouting reports into one, easy-to-read place that helps the left-hander retain it all better. And Povich can return to the notebook if he’s set to face an opponent he already saw earlier in the season to remember how he attacked them and if it worked.
“That put me in the right mindset,” Povich said.
“The team likes to throw all this information at you,” Burnes said. “In the minor leagues, you don’t really get all the analytics and all the scouting reports. So when you get to the big leagues, it can be very overwhelming.”
Povich is still figuring out how to pitch in the majors. With nine strikeouts to just three walks over his past two outings, one of which was his second career quality start, he’s beginning to find some consistency. That’s also fostered a new energy in the clubhouse.
He no longer spends all his free time with his feet up at his locker. Povich instead meanders around, chatting and joking with teammates who he hopes to be around for a long time. If he keeps taking strides, he will.
He now feels confident speaking up and asking for help. Povich, with help from Burnes when he was at his lowest, is no longer the coy newcomer.
“He’s starting to settle in more, talk to the guys a little more,” Burnes said. “He’s doing better now.”
