75 Kevin Gausman, SP

Orioles No. 2 prospect Kevin Gausman managed a career-high 10 strikeouts over six innings in his latest start with Double-A Bowie Friday, Milb.com reports.

Gausman, who has reportedly given up his powdered doughnut diet with a promotion to Baltimore on the horizon, improved to 2-4 with Bowie as he allowed just a run on four hits and a walk over six frames with 10 Ks against Trenton.

Gausman has given up two or fewer runs in five straight starts as there has been growing speculation he could become an answer for a Baltimore starting staff that has struggled with injuries and performance.

"It's nice. Anytime you put another win in that column, it feels good," said Gausman, whose other victory came on April 11. "I'm definitely excited. I felt good, and going forward, hopefully I can keep doing the same thing."

Baltimore GM Dan Duquette squashed rumors that Gausman was coming up to the show. He's not on his way yet, but if he keeps pitching this well, it will be hard for the Orioles to hold him back.

Orioles general manager Dan Duquette said Tuesday that pitching prospect Kevin Gausman is not a candidate for a promotion this early in the season, MLB.com reports. With Wei-Yin Chen on the disabled list, Baltimore is in need of a starter for Saturday's game against Tampa Bay but the team is reportedly leaning toward Jair Jurrjens.

Gausman, considered the organization's second-best prospect by MLB.com behind only Dylan Bundy, has made just seven starts above the Class A level, posting a 3.35 ERA and 1.09 WHIP. Duquette said the right-hander, currently at Double-A Bowie, would not necessarily need to advance to Triple-A before making his major-league debut.

Orioles starting pitcher prospect Kevin Gausman, who walked one batter in his first six starts, walked a season-high three batters amid rainy conditions Saturday for Double-A Bowie. Gausman allowed just one run on three hits, while striking out seven in 4 2/3 innings.

"For the conditions I felt pretty good," Gausman said. "I had a good grip on the ball and I never like to make excuses. I was kind of just jerking some pitches. I didn't throw very many changeups at all tonight. I was mostly throwing my slider as my secondary pitch. Early in the game I threw a few changeups and I didn't really have the feel I usually have for it so I went more to the slider. I was feeling really comfortable with it. That is huge for me in my development and I'm excited about that part of it."

Gausman is 1-4 with a 3.35 ERA and .255 opponents' batting average through seven starts. He has 39 strikeouts and three home runs allowed in 40 1/3 innings. Gausman is trying to stay focused in anticipation of a potential call-up in 2013.

"That is something they've been known to do (call-up pitchers from the minors)," he said. "It's exciting for every starter and really every pitcher in the organization. You feel like you have a chance. If you pitch well, you will move up. I think there is more incentive when you feel like you have a chance. That makes you want to pitch better. If you pitch well, people will take notice."

Orioles starting pitcher prospect Kevin Gausman has lost his last three starts for Double-A Bowie. Gausman is now 1-4 with a 3.53 ERA and .264 opponents' batting average through six starts.

He's managed a pretty good strikeout-to-walk ratio. He's struck out 32 batters and walked just one in 35 2/3 innings. Gausman has gone at least seven innings in his last two starts and has allowed just three runs in 14 2/3 innings in that span.