Orioles Baby Birds Prospect Weekly Recap (Sep 13-19)

The Orioles were down to three affiliates this week, but it was still exciting nonetheless.  With a week and a half to finish the entire MiLB Season, Bowie almost clinched the AA second half, Aberdeen are in the High-A finals, there was another call-up to Norfolk, and we have Baby Birds going to Arizona in October. Let’s recap!

AAA: Norfolk Tides (5-1 vs Charlotte Knights)

MVP: 3B Jordan Westburg (12-28, 3 HR, 3 2B, 7 RBI, 9 R, 2 SB, 1.341 OPS)

Norfolk won six of their last seven games. After facing the last place Knights, they now have a winning record in 2022. But the next series likely eliminate them from playoff picture. For the final nine games, Norfolk has a newcomer announced by BSL On The Verge on Monday: Connor Norby will play for the Tides to finish his 2022 season. Another rising star from the Orioles pipeline.

Baltimore Orioles: Baby Birds Weekly Prospect Recap

On the field, the team raked on offense. Jordan Westburg regained his previous form, and Yusniel Diaz (10-22, HR, 1.136 OPS) had his best week in 2022. Even Robert Neustrom (4-13, 2 HR, 1.169 OPS) played well. Overall, eight players finished with plus-.300 batting average last series.

Among the pitchers, Grayson Rodriguez put up another solid outing (5.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 4 K). The recent waiver claim, Anthony Castro, didn’t have any problems (0 ER in two relief apperances).

Next series: at Durham Bulls

AA: Bowie Baysox (3-3 at Akron RubberDucks)

MVP: 2B Connor Norby (7-20, 2 HR, 2 2B, 7 RBI, 6 R, 1.302 OPS)

Bowie had a great opportunity to clinch the second half last Saturday. They needed a win in Akron to guarantee the playoff berth. But they lost and Erie won. Both teams came to Sunday and the Seawolves clinched, and Bowie lost. In the end, the miracle almost happened. Curiosity: the Akron manager is Rougned Odor’s uncle. Yikes…

From last week, Donta’ Williams made his AA debut (HR, 3 RBI). Zach Watson led the team in hits (9), Coby Mayo hits his first pro grand slam and Chayce McDermott shows why he came over in the trade deadline. On the other side, Cade Povich had a tough game in the season finale but no worries. Next year the development continues.

Until 2023, Baysox.

High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds

The High-A playoffs is the main course. The Birds took the series in comeback fashion against the Brooklyn Cyclones to give Aberdeen a chance to win the South Atlantic League for the first time ever. In the finals, against the defending champion Bowling Green Hot Rods, the scenario is the same: Aberdeen lost game 1 on the road and they’ll aim for a comeback.

Games 2 and 3 will happen on Tuesday and Wednesday. If Aberdeen wins, they’ll be the first Orioles affiliate since 2015 to win-it-all in MiLB. Let’s go, Birds!

Arizona Fall League

Last week, the Orioles announced their players who’ll play in the Arizona Fall League next month: OF Heston Kjerstad, 2B Cesar Prieto, RHP Noah Denoyer, RHP, Nolan Hoffman, LHP Easton Lucas,  RHP Nick Richmond and OF Reed Trimble.

Both Kjerstad and Prieto are top 30 prospects from MLB Pipeline. For Heston, it’s an extended season after two years lost to myocardits and injuries.

The Orioles will play for the Scottsdale Scorpions alongside Los Angeles Angels, Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox prospects. Last year, with the Mesa Solar Sox, Nick Vespi shone brightly, and they finished champions. Not bad, at all.

Full rosters here.