Pedro Strop was a key member of the Orioles bullpen when they made the postseason for the first time since 1997. (Photo Courtesy of Keith Allison/ Flickr)

The Baltimore Orioles were a selling team in 2011. As they had been for the better part of the last decade and a half, until 2012.

On August 31, 2011, Andy MacPhail sent reliever Mike Gonzalez to the Texas Rangers for a player to be named later. The next day, that player was Pedro Strop.

The trade didn’t seem like much to Orioles fans then. Strop had a 3.72 ERA for the Rangers in 11 relief appearances. But since the trade, Strop has become an integral part of the Baltimore bullpen.

In 12 appearances for the Orioles in 2011, Strop compiled a stats featuring a 2-0 record, a 0.73 ERA and 12 Ks. Combining those numbers with the numbers he put up in Texas, Strop finished 2011 with a 2-1 record, 2.05 ERA, with 21 strikeouts in 22 innings pitched.

Strop’s success would continue into 2012. He appeared in 70 games for the Orioles, second on the team behind Jim Johnson (71).

Now in 2013, Strop is picking up right where he left off.

Strop recorded 3 victories in the World Baseball Classic, the most by any pitcher in the tournament. (Photo courtesy of Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Strop has spent most of his time in Spring Training with the Dominican Republic team, pitching in the World Baseball Classic. There, Strop shined on an international stage. The Dominicans went undefeated in 8 games during the tournament, Strop appeared in 6 of those games.

Strop finished the WBC with a perfect 3-0 record. He did not allow a single run or walk and just 3 hits, while striking out 7 batters. Once the D.R. was crowned world champions, he returned to pitch for the Orioles.

The uniform changed, the numbers did not.

In his 4 appearances, Strop has yet to allow a run. He’s given up a hit and a walk while recording 7 Ks in 4 innings.

Opening Day for the Orioles is 9 days away. If the O’s are going to remain competitive in 2013, they’ll need Strop to continue his dominant ways.