Orioles Claim Former ‘18 Astros Draftee Shawn Dubin—GM Mike Elias Gives One of His Old Picks a Second Chance

In a move that feels more like fate than front office maneuvering, the Baltimore Orioles have claimed right-hander Shawn Dubin off waivers from the Houston Astros. It’s not just a run-of-the-mill roster update — this one has roots, history, and a sense of unfinished business. The GM making the call is Mike Elias, the very man who drafted Dubin back in 2018 when he was still overseeing amateur scouting in Houston. Fast-forward seven years, and Elias is now handing his former pick a second chance, this time in orange and black.

So what does this mean, and why should Orioles fans care?

Well, let’s start with the basics. The Orioles had an open spot on their 40-man roster and a bullpen that’s been patchworked together this season due to injuries and trades. When the Astros designated Dubin for assignment earlier this week — following a rough stretch that saw his ERA balloon past 5.60 — Baltimore pounced. They saw something more than just a struggling reliever. They saw a guy with arm talent, a history with the organization’s leadership, and perhaps most importantly, a reason to prove he still belongs.

Dubin, now 29, hasn’t exactly had a smooth ride to the majors. Originally from Allegany, New York, his college journey was a winding road. He bounced between community colleges, endured a school shutting down its baseball program, and eventually landed at an NAIA school — a far cry from the usual blue-chip draft profile. But he worked his way into draft relevance and was taken in the 13th round by the Astros, thanks in part to Elias’ scouting eye. The raw tools were there: a fastball in the mid-90s, a sharp breaking ball, and the kind of grit teams love to bet on.

In the minors, Dubin showed flashes. He was never the kind of top-100 prospect that gets talked about on national broadcasts, but internally, Houston saw value. He bounced between roles — sometimes starting, sometimes relieving — but it was clear his long-term future was likely in the bullpen. In 2023, he finally made his big league debut, and in 2024, he turned in a solid campaign, logging over 45 innings with a 4.17 ERA. He struck out more than a batter per inning and even picked up a couple saves along the way.

But 2025 hasn’t been as kind. After dealing with a forearm strain early in the season, Dubin returned to the mound and struggled with command and consistency. His ERA hovered above five, and the Astros — who are in a tight race themselves — couldn’t afford to wait it out. They needed the roster spot, and Dubin became the odd man out.

That’s where the Orioles stepped in.

From Baltimore’s perspective, this is a low-risk, high-upside move. The bullpen has been in flux, and with the team playing out the string of the 2025 season, there’s no better time to try out arms and see who can stick heading into 2026. The cost? Just a roster spot. The potential payoff? A hard-throwing righty with major league experience and a chip on his shoulder.

And then there’s the Elias factor.

Let’s not overlook how rare it is for a GM to get a second shot at a player they drafted years ago with a different organization. This isn’t about nostalgia — it’s about trust in your own evaluation process. Elias scouted Dubin as a diamond in the rough back in 2018, and now, in a much more powerful position, he’s giving him another look. That doesn’t happen every day, and it speaks volumes about how much the Orioles’ front office believes Dubin still has something left in the tank.

So what does Dubin bring to the table?

He’s got a deep pitch mix for a reliever. In addition to a live fastball that can sit mid-90s, he mixes in a curveball, slider, cutter, sinker, and changeup — six pitches in all. That’s unusual, and while it can sometimes be a case of “too many options, not enough execution,” it also means he has multiple weapons to attack hitters with if he can refine his command. The Orioles’ pitching development staff has earned plenty of praise in recent years, so if anyone can help Dubin simplify and sharpen his arsenal, it’s this crew.

There’s also the question of roster fit. With Dubin out of minor league options, the Orioles will need to keep him on the active roster or risk losing him again through waivers. But that’s not necessarily a problem. Baltimore has cycled through plenty of arms this season, and they’ve shown a willingness to give new faces an opportunity. Dubin will likely get his shot in low- or mid-leverage situations at first, with a chance to earn more responsibility if he performs.

Now, look — this isn’t a blockbuster move. This isn’t the Orioles landing a frontline starter or a big-name closer. But that doesn’t mean it’s not meaningful. Teams are built not just through trades and top draft picks, but also through smart pickups on the margins. Players like Dubin — overlooked, inconsistent, but still brimming with potential — can become unexpected contributors. And if Elias turns out to be right a second time, the Orioles might’ve just added a useful bullpen piece for pennies on the dollar.

For Dubin, this is the kind of opportunity you dream about after a DFA. A new team, a fresh start, and a front office that believes in you. He’s got the stuff to compete at the major league level — now he just has to prove it again. The ball is literally and figuratively in his hand.

As for Orioles fans, this is the time to pay attention to the little moves. The big names will get the headlines, but it’s these kinds of transactions that often pay dividends in the long run. If Dubin can settle in, find a rhythm, and get back to the version of himself that flashed in 2024, Baltimore may have found something useful — and familiar — in the ashes of another team’s roster crunch.

And let’s be honest: it’s just cool to see a player circle back to a GM who originally believed in him. There’s something full-circle and almost poetic about it. Baseball is a business, sure, but it’s also deeply personal. Relationships matter. Trust matters. Elias trusting his own scouting instincts from seven years ago tells you all you need to know about how the Orioles operate under his leadership — sharp, deliberate, and always watching.

Whether this turns into a key bullpen piece or a short-lived experiment remains to be seen. But for now, it’s a bet on talent, familiarity, and maybe even redemption. Sometimes, a second chance is all a player needs. And sometimes, a GM just knows.

Now it’s your turn: What do you think of the move? Is Dubin a sneaky-good pickup, or just another arm in a crowded bullpen? Can Elias work some more magic with one of his own former guys? Drop your thoughts in the comments below — and if you found this story through Facebook, head back to the original post and leave your take there too. Let’s get into it — we’ll be watching this one closely.