Baltimore Orioles Minor League Recap: June 20-25

With Jordan Westburg's farewell to the majors, Coby Mayo's domination and another player of the week in Delmarva, let's recap the latest in the Orioles system

Recapping another week of action in the Orioles minor league system

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Series at Nashville Sounds (tied 3-3)
Record: 48-26

Game 1: NOR 8-3 NSH
Game 2: NOR 1-7 NSH

Game 3: NOR 3-0 NSH
Game 4: NOR 3-10 NSH
Game 5: NOR 5-3 NSH (F/11)
Game 6: NOR 2-3 NSH

Clinched! The Norfolk Tides secured the First Half Title in the International League and will host the Championship Series in September. Congratulations, Tides! In his Triple A debut, Cesar Prieto finished with the second best average (.316) and OPS (.859). Also, he hit a Home Run alongside Colton Cowser (2-15), Cedric Mullins (rehab assignment), Heston Kjerstad (5-22) and Jordan Westburg (.918 OPS). Ryan Mountcastle finished 0-14.

On the mound, Justin Armbruester debuted with a great outing (5.0 IP, 2 H, 2 BB, 7 K) and Wandisson Charles allowed only one hit in 2.1 innings with three strikeouts. Grayson Rodriguez had his shortest game at Triple A this year (4.1 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 3 BB, 4 K). Drew Rom had 8 punchouts but allowed 6 earned runs in five innings. Darwinzon Hernandez had an altercation with former Tide Pat Dorrian.

Next series: vs Charlotte Knights

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Series at Altoona Curve (Baysox wins 4-3)
Record: 31-38

Game 1: BOW 4-1 ALT
Game 2: BOW 2-3 ALT
Game 3: BOW 0-1 ALT
Game 4: BOW 9-8 ALT
Game 5: BOW 7-6 ALT (F/10)
Game 6: BOW 15-1 ALT
Game 7: BOW 4-8 ALT

What does Coby Mayo have left to prove at Double A? He continued to destroy baseballs (3 Home Runs) and he collected another player of the week award in the Eastern League (.462 BAA, 1.041 OPS). With Westy on MLB, the path to Mayo for Norfolk could be opening. Jud Fabian stepped up with the bat. The Florida product debuted and hit 3 dingers, but he finished 6-27. Billy Cook has deserved some attention lately. He hit .500 against Altoona and had the second best OPS (1.208) among batters.

On the mound, Alex Pham and Jean Pinto made their Double A debuts. Pham continued his hot stretch (5.0 IP, 2 H, BB, 3 K) but Pinto didn't have the same results in two apperances (5.0 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 4 K). Houston Roth didn't allow a run in 4.0 relief innings.

Next series: vs Somerset Patriots

Aberdeen IronBirds (High-A)

Series at Wilmington BlueRocks (Birds wins 3-2)
Record: 34-33

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

With Keith Law, an analyst from The Athletic in the house, the IronBirds had a solid week against Wilmington. Kyle Virbitsky, a prospect from Oakland who came via the Cole Irvin trade, threw six perfect innings with eight strikeouts. Unfortunately, he allowed a hit in the seventh. Having similar results was Cooper Chandler, with just a walk and a hit batter in four innings. Trace Bright led Aberdeen pitchers with eight K's.

For hitters, Creed Willems hit two roundtrippers. He was the best hitter from Aberdeen last week (1.113 OPS), but Frederick Bencosme had a .400 batting average. Max Wagner also finished with a great batting average (.333) and a Home Run.

Next series: vs Winston-Salem Dash

Delmarva Shorebirds (Low-A)

Series vs Augusta GreenJackets (Birds wins 3-2)
Record: 30-38

Game 1: AUG 2-3 DEL
Game 2: AUG 5-4 DEL
Game 3: AUG 3-2 DEL
Game 4: AUG 3-4 DEL (F/10)
Game 5: AUG 3-15 DEL

Another player of the week in the Orioles system, this one Samuel Basallo. He hit .444 with two Home Runs and four RBI. Basallo leads all catchers in the Carolina League in runs (40), hits (71), doubles (14), RBI (47) and slugging (.479). This kid can do it all on offense. Trendon Craig had a eight-hit week, too.

On the mound, another debut in Delmarva. Zack Showalter, a 11th-round pick from 2022 draft debut in Low-A (3.2 IP, 5 H, ER, HB, BB, 2 K). Juan De Los Santos led Shorebirds' pitchers with 8 strikeouts. Cesar Alvarez didn't allowed a run from relief.

Next series: at Lynchburg Hillcats