Orioles Minor League Recap: Sept 05-10

Aberdeen and Delmarva say goodbye for the 2023 season. But for two prospects, the season continues. Let's recap another week in the minor leagues.

Norfolk Tides (AAA)

Series vs Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (tied 3-3)
Second half record: 36-27 (84-53 overall)

Game 1: JAX 9-4 NOR
Game 2: JAX 9-7 NOR (F/10)
Game 3: JAX 1-3 NOR
Game 4: JAX 0-11 NOR
Game 5: JAX 4-3 NOR (F/11)
Game 6: JAX 2-11 NOR

With 12 games left before AAA playoffs, the Tides continue to roll. Colton Cowser still rakes with two dingers. Heston Kjerstad and extra-base hits leader in the minors, Coby Mayo, also hit dingers. For Jackson Holliday, a quiet week in his AAA debut (5-25, 2 2B, 2 RBI, 7 R, 5 BB, 3 K).

The pitchers opened a strikeout machine: Garrett Stallings (10), Cade Povich (9), Justin Armbruester (7), Chayce McDermott (7) and Wandisson Charles (6) participated that party. Unfortunately, Armbruester was smoked by Jacksonville (6 ER).

Next series: vs Memphis Redbirds

Bowie Baysox (AA)

Series vs New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Baysox won 4-2)
Second half record: 34-29 (3.0 GB)

Game 1: NH 5-8 BOW (F/11)
Game 2: NH 10-11 BOW (F/10)
Game 3: NH 1-6 BOW
Game 4: NH 2-6 BOW (F/8)
Game 5: NH 6-4 BOW
Game 6: NH 7-6 BOW

These two losses could hurt the playoff hopes for Bowie. By the way, how about Billy Cook? The outfielder had the same number of walks and Home Runs with 5. Of course, he's on the last team of the week on MLB Pipeline.

For the final series of the year, the Baysox will receive RHP Seth Johnson (the most prized prospect from the Trey Mancini trade) and phenom, Samuel Basallo, another player on the Team of the Week (Orioles leads alongside Arizona and Colorado with 14 players all year). If not for Jackson Holliday, Basallo could've be the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of The Year. But don't worry, Birdland: he's the front runner in 2024.

Next series: at Harrisburg Senators

Aberdeen IronBirds (High-A)

Series vs Greenville Drive (Birds sweep 6-0)
Second half record: 34-31 (66-63 overall)

Game 1: GVL 7-11 ABD
Game 2: GVL 3-5 ABD
Game 3: GVL 5-6 ABD
Game 4: GVL 0-3 ABD (F/7)
Game 5: GVL 3-7 ABD
Game 6: GVL 3-4 ABD

Farewell, Aberdeen. They say goodbye on a high note with the first sweep from an Orioles affiliate in 2023. The miracle almost happened, but they won't make the SAL playoffs. The team elected Kyle Virbitsky the 2023 MVP for the IronBirds, and the pitcher from Cole Irvin trade delivered (25 games - 15 starts, 6-1, 1 SV, 103.1 IP, 40 BB, 103 K, 1.17 WHIP). Will we see him in Bowie next year? We hope so.

Delmarva Shorebirds (Low-A)

Series vs Fredericksburg Nationals (Nats won 4-2)
Second half record: 28-37 (56-74 overall)

Game 1: FBG 0-4 DEL
Game 2: FBG 5-4 DEL
Game 3: FBG 3-9 DEL
Game 4: FBG 6-5 DEL
Game 5: FBG 15-10 DEL
Game 6: Cancelled
Game 7: FBG 3-1 DEL

Farewell, Delmarva. The Low-A team continued the development progress with his players, the most notable are Samuel Basallo and Creed Willems, both promoted during the season. If we'll choose the best player, it could be Stiven Acevedo (HR leader with 14, even with a .239 batting average, and stolen base leader with 33) on offense and Edgar Portes (strikeout leader with 106 and no Home Runs allowed in 80.2 innings).

We can't wait to see the new crop of international players and 2024 draftees in their roster next year.