Baltimore Orioles Minor League Recap: July 4-9

It's draft week, but the minor leagues didn't stop with players of the week and/or month in every level of the system, and promotions too. Let's recap another week!

Baltimore Orioles minor league recap: July 4-9

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Series at Durham Bulls (tied 3-3)
Record: 55-30

Game 1: NOR 5-6 DUR
Game 2: NOR 8-3 DUR
Game 3: NOR 4-6 DUR
Game 4: NOR 6-3 DUR
Game 5: NOR 4-3 DUR
Game 6: NOR 2-5 DUR

The question in Birdland: Will Grayson Rodriguez be back soon? The righty finished the week with 15 strikeouts in 9 innings of work with 3 walks, 4 hits allowed and no runs. He won't stay in Norfolk for much longer if he keeps this up. Another pitcher who played well was Drew Rom (9 K's in 5.2 IP). Unfortunately, Wandisson Charles allowed five earned runs in his worst performance at Triple A. He is one of the surprise stars in the minors this year.

For the hitters, Connor Norby blossomed (8-23, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 1.140 OPS) and he's elected to team of the week per MLB Pipeline. Shayne Fontana hit two Home Runs, too. Cesar Prieto hits everything (9-25). With Mayo aboard, the offense will continue to shine before this core come to The Show.

Next series: vs Scranton/Wille-Barre RailRiders

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Series at Richmond Flying Squirrels (tied 3-3)
Record: 36-45

Game 1: BOW 5-11 RIC
Game 2: BOW 2-6 RIC
Game 3: BOW 0-4 RIC
Game 4: BOW 4-1 RIC
Game 5: BOW 6-1 RIC
Game 6: BOW 5-0 RIC (F/6)

Farewell Coby Mayo and Chayce McDermott. Both players will report to Norfolk next weekend. For Mayo, a teammate of recent Orioles draft pick Enrique Bradfield on 11u in Florida, was chosen as the Player of the Month per Orioles Player Development (.340 BAA, 8 HR, 18 RBI, 1.178 OPS). The 2020 fourth-round pick had a down week (3-18) but that doesn't matter. Let Billy Cook shine (5-18, HR, 10 RBI, .920 OPS).

McDermott leaves Bowie with 3.56 ERA, SV, 68.1 IP, 44 walks and 88 strikeouts in 16 games (14 starts). One of the prospects from Mancini trade is a step closer to the majors. Cade Povich (5.0 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 9 K), Alex Pham (3.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 5 K) and Jean Pinto (6.0 IP, 3 H, ER, 5 K) can carry the torch for the pitching staff.

Next series: vs Akron RubberDucks

Aberdeen IronBirds (High-A)

Series at Grensboro Grasshoppers (Birds wins 3-2)
Record: 41-37

Game 1: ABD 5-8 GBO
Game 2: ABD 16-14 GBO
Game 3: ABD 11-7 GBO
Game 4: ABD 4-5 GBO
Game 5: ABD 16-1 GBO
Game 6: Cancelled

Farewell to Jackson Holliday, who will be going to Bowie. He leaves Aberdeen with a .314/.452/.488 slash line, 65 hits, 5 Home Runs, 35 RBI, 17 stolen bases, 50 walks and 54 strikeouts. His final week in High-A: 8-14, 2 2B, 2 RBI and 8 runs in 3 games. He didn't even have the most hits on the team. Kyle Stowers, on a minor league rehab assignment, finished 9-18 with 3 Home Runs. A special week by Silas Ardoin with three round trippers (7 walks, 1 strikeout). Maxwell Costes (1.806 OPS) and Dylan Beavers (1.414 OPS) joined the party.

For the pitchers, we need to talk about Kyle Virbitsky. He was elected the Pitcher of the Month per Orioles Player Development (19.2 IP, 0.92 ERA, 22 K, 0.56 WHIP). Against Greensboro, he had a so-so performance (4.2 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K). The best performers are Daniel Llyod (5.0 IP, 4 H, R, BB, 6 K), Juan Nunez (4.0 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 6 K) and Trace Bright (5.0 IP, 3 H, BB, 5 K).

Next series: vs Wilmington Blue Rocks

Delmarva Shorebirds (Low-A)

Series vs Fredericksburg Nationals (Nats wins 3-2)
Record: 36-43

Game 1: FBG 7-6 DEL
Game 2: FBG 4-7 DEL
Game 3: FBG 8-4 DEL
Game 4: FBG 10-1 DEL
Game 5: FBG 0-8 DEL
Game 6: Postponed (makeup on Sep 6)

Jared Beck is the pitcher of the week for the Carolina League (8.0 IP, H, 7 K in two games). The 7-foot pitcher continues to impress in the minors (16 games/10 starts, 3.86 ERA, 58.1 IP, 34 walks, 78 strikeouts) and a promotion to Aberdeen could happen in near future. Another pitcher with a great performance was Moises Chace (4.0 IP, 3 H, 2 BB, 7 K). They will have some company in August/September with some of the 2023 draft class.

The offense raked too. Noelberth Romero (8-19, 2 HR, 4 XBH, 1.318 OPS), Samuel Basallo (4-10, 1.271 OPS) and Elio Prado (7-13, 1.453 OPS) were the best performers of the bunch.

Next series: at Salem Red Sox