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Baltimore Orioles: Rylan Bannon’s Breakout at Triple-A

By Arrick Joel|
Feb 23, 2020; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Rylan Bannon (81) hits an RBI double to left-center field as Boston Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki (25) looks on during the sixth inning at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 23, 2020; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Rylan Bannon (81) hits an RBI double to left-center field as Boston Red Sox catcher Kevin Plawecki (25) looks on during the sixth inning at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports

Baltimore Orioles prospect Rylan Bannon caught fire at the plate during a recent series

Last week, the Norfolk Tides hosted the Memphis Redbirds for a six-game series at Harbor Park in Norfolk. The Tides managed to come away as winners of five games in the series, aided by the AAA debut of the Baltimore Orioles‘ top prospect, Adley Rutschman. And, while Rutschman’s debut was the focal point, the series turned out to be a showcase for O’s infield prospect Rylan Bannon.

Entering game one of the series this past Tuesday, Bannon was slashing an unfavorable .155/.228/.253 on the season, which includes a brief six-game rehab assignment in High-A with the Aberdeen Ironbirds after coming off the injured list in late June. The numbers Bannon has put up this year have been disappointing coming from a player many people around the organization believed could make an impact at the Major League level as soon as this season.

However, the former California League Most Valuable Player seemingly flipped a switch against Memphis. After being given a day off to open the series, Bannon launched five home runs across the next three games, driving in six runs and reaching base via walk five times as well.

With the fifth game of the series rained out on Saturday, Norfolk and Memphis played a doubleheader on Sunday. Bannon would go hitless in the second game but began the day by driving in three runs in game one to put the Tides in position to sweep the doubleheader.

When it was all said and done, Bannon batted .500 with an absurd 2.275 OPS during the series, showing just how good he can be at the plate when he remains selective in his approach and capitalizes on the pitches he likes. Minor League Baseball named Rylan Bannon Triple-A East Player of the Week as a result of the incredible performance.

If Bannon is capable of carrying some of this momentum over into the Tides’ few remaining series this season, he could absolutely become a player the Orioles more seriously consider for their Opening Day roster in 2022.

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