Baltimore Orioles Minor League Recap: June 13-18

Promotions are everywhere, with a lot of Baby Birds climbing the minor league ladder last Sunday, let's recap!

Another action packed week of minor league baseball, one full of farm system promotions

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Series vs Worcester Red Sox (Sox wins 4-2)
Record: 45-23

Game 1: WOR 0-3 NOR
Game 2: WOR 13-5 NOR
Game 3: WOR 2-3 NOR
Game 4: WOR 8-6 NOR
Game 5: WOR 5-2 NOR
Game 6: WOR 11-5 NOR

BREAKING: The Norfolk Tides lost a series in 2023. It was bound happen at some point. The best offensive player of the week was Heston Kjerstad (8-21, 2 HR, 3B, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 5 R, 1.292 OPS) alongside Colton Cowser (7 hits) and MLB The Show WBC Legend Robbie Glendining (6-17, HR, 5 RBI). Overall, Daz Cameron continued to hit baseballs over the fence (2 HR). Jordan Westburg had a quiet week, but he had more walks (3) than strikeouts (2). They'll have a boost with a newcomer for Norfolk: IF Cesar Prieto was promoted to AAA.

On the mound, the first complete game shutout was thrown since 2012. Congrats to Bruce Zimmermann. Baltimore's own had his game. Grayson Rodriguez, three days later, recorded 11 strikeouts in six innings, tying his career-high (5/17/22 at Charlotte). His counterpart, DL Hall, is going to Sarasota to build his strength and regain his velocity. Norfolk will receive two arms from Bowie: Justin Armbruester and Wandisson Charles.

Next series: at Nashville Sounds

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Series vs Richmond Flying Squirrels (Baysox wins 4-3)
Record: 27-35

Game 1: RIC 5-7 BOW
Game 2: RIC 5-1 BOW
Game 3: RIC 2-0 BOW
Game 4: RIC 2-6 BOW
Game 5: RIC 2-3 BOW
Game 6: RIC 3-4 BOW (F/10)
Game 7: RIC 10-6 BOW

Bowie dominated on 'Players of the week': Cade Povich was elected the Pitcher of the Week (and MLB Pipeline elected him on Team of the Week) and Coby Mayo the Player of the week. These guys had some juice. The pitcher threw a perfecto through seven innings (13 strikeouts) but he allowed a hit in the eighth and finished his night. A performance for the ages. Mayo, the newest top 100 prospect on Baseball America, extended his on-base streak to 32 games. His performance: 10-24, 3 HR, 8 RBI, 1.475 OPS. Protect your scoreboards, AA teams!

Other players had good performances, too. Billy Cook almost had similar numbers to Mayo (9-25, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 1.105 OPS) and Cesar Prieto, in his farewell, finished with nine hits. On pitching side, Chayce McDermott had a 10-strikeout performance in 5.2 IP. In another farewell, Wandisson Charles had seven K's and no hits allowed in two outings, while Justin Armbruester threw a complete game in the doubleheader (7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 ER, BB, 3 K).

Next series: at Altoona Curve

Aberdeen IronBirds (High-A)

Series vs Brooklyn Cyclones (tied 3-3)
Record: 31-31

Game 1: BRK 7-8 ABD
Game 2: BRK 5-4 ABD
Game 3: BRK 3-4 ABD (F/10)
Game 4: BRK 2-3 ABD
Game 5: BRK 5-0 ABD
Game 6: BRK 7-3 ABD

From Aberdeen, a lot of players who'll going to Bowie: Alex Pham, Keagan Gilles, Jean Pinto and Jud Fabian. A good crop of rookies, two of them top 30 prospects per MLB Pipeline. All of them were great at A+, especially Pham. The 19-round-pick threw another gem (6.0 IP, H, ER, BB, 9 K). Pinto didn't have the same numbers, but played well too (5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, 5 K). Gilles also didn't get the same spotlights, but the 25-year-old reliever played pretty well with an 0.54 ERA in 15 games (2 saves).

On offense, Jud Fabian continues his rise to stardom. He'll goes to Bowie as the Birds' Home Run leader (9), RBI (43), second on doubles (13) and stolen bases (19). For the players who'll continue, Dylan Beavers could join him in near future (6-19, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 3:4 K:BB, 1.101 OPS). Frederick Bencosme and Luis Valdez had four stolen bases each.

Next series: at Wilmington BlueRocks

Delmarva Shorebirds (Low-A)

Series at Salem Red Sox (Sox wins 5-2)
Record: 27-36

Game 1: DEL 10-2 SAL
Game 2: DEL 1-7 SAL
Game 3: SAL 1-3 DEL
Game 4: DEL 5-7 SAL
Game 5: DEL 6-10 SAL
Game 6: DEL 0-5 SAL
Game 7: DEL 4-10 SAL

Aberdeen will receive Juan Nunez, the only promotion came from Delmarva. The 22-year-old pitcher leads Delmarva pitching in strikeouts (72) with a 3.93 ERA in 13 games (10 GS). Moises Chace and Jared Beck threw 16 total strikeouts in 3 games. Juan De Los Santos allowed 5 runs in his outing, but none earned.

The offense had seven players with a Home Run, with Samuel Basallo among them. Adam Crampton had a better overall performance (1.041 OPS).

Next series: vs Augusta GreenJackets