Orioles Baby Birds Prospect Weekly Recap (Sep 06-12)

Orioles minor league prospects are mostly done for the season.

The Orioles season is winding down, and some of their prospects and affiliates are already done.  It’s playoff time in Aberdeen! Meanwhile, Norfolk says welcome to an old friend, Bowie is still fighting, and Delmarva finished the 2022 season. Let’s recap.

AAA: Norfolk Tides (4-2 at Memphis Redbirds)

MVP: LHP Drew Rom (7.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K)

A scary moment in Memphis, because a shooting incident who killed 4 people and injured 3 on Wednesday caused a suspended game and both teams sheltered in stadium until the police said it was safe.

Well, on the field the Tides are rollin’. Drew Rom continues to impress since his arrival from AA with his best performance in 2022. This game was considered a complete game shutout (doubleheader rules). Our old pals still shined with two excellent performances by Joseph Ortiz (10-26, HR, 1.025 OPS) and Jordan Westburg (9-26, .900 OPS).

For the incoming weekend, an old friend returns: RHP Grayson Rodriguez. The Orioles announce their best pitching prospect will make a start. It’s a precautionary move, but if GrayRod is feeling better and no injury concerns, he’ll have a shot to debut in MLB until before season ends. A nice reward, for sure.

Next series: vs Charlotte Knights

AA: Bowie Baysox (2-4 vs Richmond Flying Squirrels)

MVP: RHP Chayce McDermott (4.2 IP, H, ER, 3 BB, 9 K)

The rubber match continues. Bowie and the Erie Seawolves are still tied in first place with six games to play. It’ll be a nail bitter. Until that, the Orioles Player Development announced the best prospects from last August. Connor Norby and Cade Povich earned the honors. In the field this week, Povich had a game to forget (54.00 ERA) and Norby didn’t hit a home run.

Meanwhile, Grayson Rodriguez played two rehab games and delivered 11 strikeouts in two games (only 4.2 innings played and .125 opposing batting average). The offense hits 8 home runs, two of them by Andrew Daschbach. Hudson Haskin, Coby Mayo, Zach Watson and Maverick Handley each hit one.

The decisive week starts now! Good luck, Bowie!

Next series: at Akron Rubberducks

A+: Aberdeen IronBirds (2-4 at Jersey Shore BlueClaws)

MVP: SS Luis Valdez (6-14, HR, RBI, 2 R, 3 SB, 1.072 OPS)

Another series to prepare themselves for South Atlantic League Playoffs. Two best-of-three series for the IronBirds would win it all. The last time Aberdeen were champions was 1983, when the team wasn’t an MLB affiliate. The 2022 First Half Title was the first in their history. The matchup in first round: the Brooklyn Cyclones. Game 1 is Tuesday, at Brooklyn, with Jean Pinto on the mound. Games 2 and 3 (if necessary) at home.

Against Jersey Shore, Luis Valdez became one of the players who reached 70+ stolen bases in 2022 MiLB season. A great effort. Heston Kjerstad had a solid series (7-19, HR, .979 OPS). Dylan Beavers had a nice debut (4-14, 2 RBI). On the mound, Antonio Velez had a good outing (4.0 IP, 3 H, 5 K).

Let’s go, Birds!!!

A-: Delmarva Shorebirds (4-1 vs Down East Wood Ducks)

MVP: OF Isaac Bellony (12-20, 2B, 4 RBI, 2 R, 1.269 OPS)

Delmarva finished the 2022 season in a high note, even though the last game didn’t happen because of rain. In the standings, they finished tied for last place in their division in the second half (28-37). In overall, they finished in rock bottom (49-81).

In his last games, Bellony stepped up with an outstanding performance. The newcomers from the draft, Adam Crampton (6-18) and Douglas Hodo III (5-17) helped a lot. For the #1 overall, he showed his maturity in Low-A. Jackson Holliday had only two strikeouts and EIGHT walks! He had only four hits, but three of them were doubles. Full slash line (included FCL): .297/.498/.422, HR, 9 RBI, 14 R, 4 SB, 25:12 BB/K. We’ll see you in 2023, Jackson!

The pitching staff was brilliant, maybe one of the best performances in all year. The headline was Juan Nunez, one of four prospects in the Jorge Lopez trade. One hit allowed and four K’s in 4.0 innings.

Can’t wait for the 2023 season!!