Orioles Minor League Recap: Aug 29 - Sept 03

Jackson Holliday bets on himself that he'll be in the majors in 2024. Well, he's close to fullfilling his promise. Let's recap another minor league week action with two Baby Birds on the MLB Pipeline Team of the Week!

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Series at Worcester Red Sox (Tides won 5-1)
Second half record: 33-24

Game 1: NOR 8-6 WOR
Game 2: NOR 6-3 WOR
Game 3: NOR 4-0 WOR
Game 4: NOR 4-3 WOR
Game 5: NOR 6-4 NOR (F/10)
Game 6: NOR 4-5 WOR

For the Orioles postseason push, John Means continued his rehab tour with a great game (5.0 IP, H, 2 BB, 6 K, 86 pitches). He'll be scheduled for one more game and the next stop is Baltimore for a playoff push and beyond. Alongside him, Chayce McDermott went deep (7.0 IP, 2 H, ER, HR, BB, 7 K) and he could be on the mix for next year's Opening Day roster. Cade Povich continued his rollercoaster (7.2 IP, 8 H, 8 R, 6 ER, 6 BB, 10 K).

For batters, Coby Mayo is back with a BANG (3 HR, 6 RBI, 1.175 OPS) earning a spot on theMLB Pipeline Team of the Week. Connor Norby (8 hits, 2 HR, 1.183 OPS) and Heston Kjerstad (9-27, HR, .956 OPS) kept up their pace. Kyle Stowers, hit by a pitch on the head/face area, goes to the 7-day IL.

Next series: vs Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Series at Akron RubberDucks (Ducks won 4-2)
Second half record: 30-27

Game 1: BOW 5-7 AKR
Game 2: BOW 5-2 AKR
Game 3: BOW 3-4 AKR
Game 4: BOW 5-6 AKR
Game 5: BOW 4-2 AKR
Game 6: BOW 3-6 AKR

Bowie is still fighting for a playoff appearance, which would be their first since 2019. They'll play without phenom Jackson Holliday, who goes to Norfolk for his third promotion in 2023 (9-21, 6 R, 2 SB, 1.024 OPS). Nobody imagined this rise for Holliday. For the believers that Holliday will be on 2024 Opening Day lineup, here's another glimpse of hope. By the way, Jud Fabian continues to hit balls over the fence (2 HR, 5 RBI, 8 BB, 2 SB, 1.130 OPS).

On the mound, Connor Gillispie was good (5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, HR, 2 BB, 7 K) and Brandon Young followed him (4.2 IP, 3 H, ER, BB, 7 K). Trace Bright and his strikeouts (6) continued to play well. Ignacio Feliz had a scoreless outing with 4 strikeouts, too.

Next series: vs New Hampshire Fisher Cats

Aberdeen IronBirds (High-A)

Series at Jersey Shore Blue Claws (Claws won 4-2)
Second half record: 28-31

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

A miracle is needed for playoff baseball in Aberdeen this season. Unlike 2022, this will likely be the last week of Aberdeen baseball in 2023. But they won't be disappointed, because Samuel Basallo was on the MLB Pipeline team of the week, too (5-7, 3 HR, 6 RBI, 4 BB, K, SB, 2.961 OPS). If not Jackson Holliday, Basallo will gain more attention. This guy rakes a lot. How about Frederick Bencosme in a 11-hit week?

For pitchers, Reese Sharp was solid (4.0 IP, 2 H, HB, 5 K) alongside Juan Nunez (4.0 IP, 2 H, ER, HB, 2 BB, 5 K) and Daniel Lloyd (5.0 IP, 2 H, ER, HR, BB, 5 K). Dylan Heid and Trey McGough had scoreless weeks, and Cooper Chandler struck out nine in seven frames.

Last series: vs Greenville Drive

Delmarva Shorebirds (Low-A)

Series at Columbia Fireflies (tied 3-3)
Second half record: 26-33 (Eliminated)

Game 1: DEL 8-7 COL
Game 2: DEL 3-12 COL
Game 3: DEL 13-3 COL
Game 4: DEL 4-11 COL
Game 5: DEL 7-11 COL (F/9)
Game 6: DEL 5-4 COL (F/10)

This was the last week in Delmarva for 2023 draftees Enrique Bradfield Jr (4-15, 5 SB), Matthew Etzel (6-16, 6 RBI, 3 SB, 1.147 OPS) and Mac Horvath (8-19, 7 SB, .963 OPS) because they'll promoted to Aberdeen and play the last series of the year at High-A. Congratulations, guys. Stiven Acevedo showed his powers, too (3 HR, 8 RBI).

The pitching side had mixed results, but Teddy Sharkey continues to roll (2.0 IP, 2 H, 4 K). I think his bandwagon will rise next year. Carter Baumler threw three innings with one hit and one earned run (2 walks, 3 strikeouts). If you want to see Delmarva baseball this year, this is the final week to do so.

Last series: vs Fredericksburg Nationals