Baltimore Orioles Minor League Recap: August 22-27

Spider Cowser. Spider Cowser. Friend of the neighborhood, Spider Cowser. Let's recap another minor week with possibly the highlight of the season so far.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Series vs Durham Bulls (Tides wins 4-2)
Second half record: 28-23

Game 1: DUR 1-6 NOR
Game 2: DUR 1-3 NOR
Game 3: DUR 3-1 NOR
Game 4: DUR 9-12 NOR
Game 5: DUR 12-13 NOR
Game 6: DUR 3-1 NOR

Coby Mayo and Kyle Stowers continue to destroy baseballs with two Home Runs each. On the radar for a September call up, Heston Kjerstad had seven hits (two extra-base hits) and push his average to .302 in AAA. From first-rounder to first-rounder, how about Colton Cowser and his Spider skills?

Cade Povich continues his ups and downs on the mound: a lot of strikeouts (7) with a lot of walks (5). Meanwhile, Justin Armbruester put another good performance (5.0 IP, H, 2 BB, 6 K). Wandisson Charles rebounded from his last performances with three innings of work without an earned run.

Next series: at Worcester Red Sox

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Series at Erie SeaWolves (tied 3-3)
Second half record: 28-23

Game 1: BOW 5-0 ERI
Game 2: BOW 8-6 ERI
Game 3: BOW 10-12 ERI
Game 4: BOW 3-5 ERI
Game 5: BOW 3-0 ERI
Game 6: BOW 4-5 ERI

Offense, Offense, Offense. Bowie had superb performances by 2022 draftees Dylan Beavers (8-19, 1.068 OPS), Jud Fabian (Home Run leader with two), Maxwell Costes (seven hits), Billy Cook (seven hits) and John Rhodes (six hits). Jackson Holliday, however, didn't find his groove in Erie (4-21).

The pitching side featured the Double A debut by Trace Bright (4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 5 K), a nine strikeout week by Connor Gillispie (plus nine hits and four walks allowed) and a scoreless outing by Ryan Hennen.

Next series: at Akron RubberDucks

Aberdeen IronBirds (High-A)

Series at Hudson Valley Renegades (tied 3-3)
Second half record: 26-27

Game 1: ABD 3-1 HV
Game 2: ABD 2-3 HV
Game 3: ABD 2-1 HV
Game 4: ABD 5-6 HV
Game 5: ABD 2-4 HV
Game 6: ABD 4-2 HV

The bats were silent. Only two players had 4+ hits. But, a rare event did occur: a Luis Valdez Home Run. Only his second round tripper of the year. Elio Prado (hits leader with six, .898 OPS) and Jacob Teter also homered.

From pitching staff, more solid outings by Cooper Chandler (4.0 IP, H, BB, 7 K), Logan Rinehart (4.0 IP, 2 BB, 6 K), Jared Beck (2.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 5 K), Juan Nunez (4.0 IP, 4 H, ER, 2 BB, 4 K), Reese Sharp (3.0 IP, 2 H, 4 K), Daniel Lloyd (4.0 IP, 5 H, ER, 3 K) and Kyle Virbitsky (10.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K). The later deserves a call to Bowie.

Next series: at Jersey Shore BlueClaws

Delmarva Shorebirds (Low-A)

Series at Lynchburg Hillcats (tied 3-3)
Second half record: 23-30

Game 1: DEL 8-0 LYN
Game 2: DEL 1-2 LYN
Game 3: DEL 3-4 LYN
Game 4: DEL 4-3 LYN
Game 5: DEL 4-3 LYN
Game 6: DEL 3-4 LYN

Four straight 4-3 scores. It's unusual. Anyway, the offense didn't put together any slugfests. Mac Horvath hit his third dinger of the year. Matthew Etzel led the team with six hits and Enrique Bradfield Jr continued to show his on-base skills (3 walks, 1 strikeout).

For pitching, get on the Sharkey bandwagon. This reliever was electric with two scoreless innings with five strikeouts. Carter Baumler made his 2023 debut with Delmarva with three relief innings allowing a run with two walks and three strikeouts. Another good week for Juan Rojas, too (7.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 3 K).

Next series: at Columbia Fireflies