Baltimore Orioles Minor League Recap: June 27-July 3

Happy July 4th. Let's recap another week in the Orioles minor league system

Baltimore Orioles minor league system has another strong week

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Series vs Charlotte Knights (Tides wins 4-1)
Record: 52-27

Game 1: CLT 5-12 NOR
Game 2: CLT 8-10 NOR
Game 3: CLT 4-5 NOR (F/10)
Game 4: CLT 3-2 NOR (F/10)
Game 5: CLT 3-15 NOR
Game 6: Postponed

Free Ryan Mountcastle! The former Tides star continued his rehab assignment and it appears he regained his confidence and showed his powers like it was 2019, before his promotion to MLB a year later. For the prospects, Colton Cowser had a great week (1.192 OPS) and the promotion debate persists until he gets the call to the majors or traded next deadline. Even without a HR, Joey Ortiz led Tides hitters in hits (11) with an outstanding .500 BAA. Is he a righty Arraez?

On the mound, Garrett Stallings led Norfolk pitchers in strikeouts (9) with a solid performance (6.0 IP, ER, HR). Grayson Rodriguez didn't have a second outing because of rain, but in his last game played well (8 strikeouts and a walk in six innings). Wandisson Charles continues to have no allowed runs in AAA. A promotion later in the season could be a possibility.

Next series: at Durham Bulls

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Series vs Somerset Patriots (Patriots wins 4-2)
Record: 33-45

Game 1: SOM 3-2 BOW
Game 2: SOM 11-3 BOW
Game 3: SOM 6-7 BOW
Game 4: SOM 9-5 BOW
Game 5: SOM 6-4 BOW (F/11)
Game 6: SOM 4-5 BOW

Coby Mayo Home Run alert. This kid hasn't stopped hitting dingers. Added three for him last week and don't be surprised if Mayo wins another player of the week award in the Eastern League (would be his third in-a-row). Jud Fabian, John Rhodes, Ramon Rodriguez, Anthony Servideo and Donta' Williams joined the HR party. For the vets, James McCann went hitless in nine at-bats (one RBI).

On the mound, Cade Povich had some good (13 strikeouts) and bad numbers (five Home Runs allowed). Chayce McDermott had similarites (8 strikeouts, 4 ER, HR). All but three allowed at least a run and five of them allowed four or more runs.

Next series: at Richmond Flying Squirrels

Aberdeen IronBirds (High-A)

Series vs Winston-Salem Dash (Birds wins 4-2)
Record: 38-35

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

He'll play in Seattle. He's clutch. He's special. He's everything. Jackson Holliday is the real deal. The #1 prospect in baseball could have sexier numbers (4-18), but he delivered a walkoff win. The best batting average came from Silas Ardoin, a 2022 draftee (.389). The offense had a great OPS thanks to Maxwell Costes (1.060), Ryan Higgins (1.017) and Jacob Teter (1.425).

Daniel Llyod was brilliant on the mound (11 K's in nine innings). Alongside him Trace Bright (8 K's in 4.2 IP), Cooper Chandler (7 K's and zero earned runs in 5.0 IP) and Kyle Virbitsky (6 K's in 5.0 IP). Except Juan Nunez, no one pitcher allowed more than three earned runs.

Next series: at Greensboro Grasshoppers

Delmarva Shorebirds (Low-A)

Series at Lynchburg Hillcats (Birds wins 4-2)
Record: 34-40

Game 1: DEL 0-3 LYN
Game 2: DEL 8-0 LYN
Game 3: DEL 0-13 LYN
Game 4: DEL 6-4 LYN (F/10)
Game 5: DEL 4-1 LYN
Game 6: DEL 5-0 LYN

Have a week, Elio Prado. The outfielder finished with seven hits (.368 BAA) and a home run. The Delmarva offense hit three round trippers, and the other two dingers by Samuel Basallo (.927). The offense woke up in Lynchburg.

The pitching staff had some great performances, especially Jared Beck (9.0 IP, 2 H, ER, HB, 3 BB, 10 K in two games) and Moises Chace (four inning save with 9 strikeouts in series finale). Zack Showalter again delivers a good outing with 3.2 scoreless innings (6 strikeouts).

Next series: vs Fredericksburg Nationals