Baby Birds Weekly Recap (July 22-24)

The Baltimore Orioles minor league system resumed play after the all star break with Respective three-game stints, and a little panic because a valuable prospect exited after first inning.

AAA – Norfolk Tides Prospect Report

MVP: Kyle Stowers (4-13, 2 HR, 2B, 4 RBI, 3 R, 1.154 OPS)

Norfolk will be on the road until August and the first series against the Durham Bulls (Rays affiliate) had mixed results. On Friday, DL Hall threw only one inning. Injury? Thankfully, not! Promotion? Unfortunately, not (Hall is scheduled to play next Tuesday and Sunday). It was a precaution by management. On the field, the Tides were swept by the Bulls.

The best moment happened on Sunday with Stowers, Gunnar Henderson and Robert Neustrom with a Homer in three consecutive innings. That’s a great effort. On the mound, Kyle Bradish made his third rehab game (4.2 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 6 K). He’s close to back to Orioles’ rotation.

Unranked prospect to watch: Robert Neustrom (3-9, HR, 2 RBI, R)

In a short series, Neustrom played well. But on July, his slash line .206/.229/.382 leaves room for improvement. Will Birdland see him in an Orioles uniform at some point or include him in a package for a valuable asset during the next trade deadline?

Next series: at Memphis Redbirds (STL Cardinals affiliate)

AA – Bowie Baysox Prospect Report

Co-MVPs: LHP Drew Rom (5.0 IP, 3 H, 7 K) and SS Joey Ortiz (5-11, 3B, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 R, 1.298 OPS)

It’s a different vibe in Bowie: from last place in their division in the first half to leading their division in the second half (0.5 games ahead). Against Richmond (SF Giants affiliate), the Baysox took two of three and for the second consecutive week, Ortiz put forth another great performance (Keith Law smiles a lot, I can imagine) and Drew Row was excellent. His ERA in July (2.87) is the lowest in a month this season. Could he possibly be ready for a promotion?

Unraked to watch: OF Shayne Fontana (4-12, 2B, 7 RBI, 2 R, SB)

The 2019 23rd-round pick had a hit and a RBI in all three games.

Next series: vs Altoona Curve (Pirates affiliate)

High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds Prospect Report

MVP and unranked: SS Collin Burns (6-15, 2 HR, 2 2B, 4 RBI, 6 R, 1.333 OPS)

The bats are alive in Aberdeen. A 2-1 series win against Greenville (Red Sox affliate) in three games with an average of 7.3 runs per game. This week, Collin Burns boosted the offense but he’s not alone. Six players had an OPS over 1.000 (two of them played one game, by the way) and three had at least five hits and a home run. Toby Welk (5-11, 6 RBI) and John Rhodes (5-12, 3 RBI) shone bright. Only three players had 0 hits. Heston Kjerstad had a respectable week (3-12, 3 R).

The pitching staff didn’t put on a good show. Only four pitchers didn’t allowa run. Three of them allowed 3+ in this series: Jean Pinto, Peter Van Loon and Nick Roth. Roth was on the negative side of things, with a BAA over .600 in his lone relief apperance.

Next series: at Asheville Tourists (Astros affiliate)

Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds Prospect Report

MVP: OF Reed Trimble (3-9, 2B, RBI, 2 R, .899 OPS)

Welcome back, Reed! The CBB-round pick from the 2021 draft played his first game after left shoulder surgery in December. Despite being swept by Fredericksburg (Nationals affiliate), it was good news to see him on the field. Trimble, Noelberth Romero and Frederick Bencosme had 3 or more hits (Bencosme had five). The rest of the offense had another bad performance (only three extra-base hits, all doubles).

Unranked to watch: RHP Miguel Padilla (4.0 IP, 3 ER, 2 BB, 6 K)

He came to Baltimore via trade with Houston. The 20-year-old from Venezuela had a good July in Delmarva with a 3.00 ERA in 15.0 IP and 17 strikeouts in five games (one start).

Next series: at Lynchburg Hillcats (Guardians affiliate)

2022 Draft Class

The Orioles announced on Saturday that Dylan Beavers and Jud Fabian officially signed with the O’s. Per Jon Heyman, Jackson Holliday will sign for $8 million plus (a new record by a prep). We’ll wait to see Holliday presentation at OPACY!  The team also announced that 2nd-round pick Max Wagner signed for $1.9 million.

Now, eighteen names to go (four have signed). The signing deadline is August 1st.