Orioles Prospect Report: Niko Goodrum, Dylan Beavers home runs, Cameron Weston, Nestor German and Edwin Amparo

Ahh, the beginning of September. As football and cooler weather roll in, minor league action winds down around the country, with low and high A ball wrapping up their seasons this past Sunday. It's an inevitable sadness that makes us appreciate the ride even more while we've got it.

Norfolk Tides
Lost series with Charlotte Knights 2-4

Absolutely nuclear output from Niko Goodrum last week against Charlotte, collecting a hit in all 6 games en route to an obscene .455/3/14 line. Video game numbers there, as the journeyman seemingly mashed every pitch he saw. Goodrum's spent time in Tampa and Los Angeles this season and will definitely be back on some team's radar next spring if he keeps this up.

Nice showing from TT Bowens at the dish as well, going yard twice and driving in 7. The fan favorite has struggled some since coming up to Norfolk, but this was a promising stretch for him. Simply putting the ball in play was a big part of that, as the first baseman struck out just 3 times in 19 at bats-- a trend we'd love to see continue.

If you haven't seen it yet, make sure to check out Samuel Basallo's second AAA home run. 455 feet, 109 MPH off the bat, off of former Oriole Travis Lakins Sr. at that. A no doubter if there ever was one. Just a reminder, he turned 20 a month ago.

Not the debut we were hoping for out of Adrian Houser. The long-time Brewers starter lasted 5.2 on Thursday night but allowed 9 hits and 5 earned over that span. As the team prepares for the return of some key contributors, it appears any window Houser may have had to make an impact is closing rapidly.

Colin Selby may be finding himself in that same boat, but he's put in good work in the meantime, striking out 5 over 2.1 hitless relief innings. One walk is the stat to key in on here, as it was his biggest issue in his 2 appearances with the big-league club.

Bowie Baysox
Lost series with Harrisburg Senators 2-4

Dylan Beavers putting his power on display this week, with 3 of his 6 hits winding up in the outfield bleachers, including a two'fer on Wednesday night. He surprisingly only managed 5 RBI for his efforts, but productive nonetheless for the 6'4" outfielder.

Efficient work at the dish by Johnny Rhodes, going 5-13 and driving in 3 in his 4 appearances. The 2021 third rounder has had a pretty disappointing career thus far, but hoping this week can spark a strong finish to build some momentum going into the offseason.

Enrique Bradfield Jr. continued his strong play for Bowie, going 6-21 on the series with 2 RBI and a perfect 3/3 on stolen bases. It'd be very surprising to see him omitted from next spring's Top 100, as the O's 4th ranked prospect's been consistently solid across two levels of ball.

Nice to see Patrick Reilly get back to it after three consecutive rough starts. The righty, whom we traded new big leaguer Billy Cook for, gave up 2 hits and a walk over 5 scoreless frames, striking out 8 along the way. Not an impossible proposition to see him competing for a roster spot next March.

Cameron Weston's had a superb year, adding yet another quality start on Saturday. The 24-year-old went 6 shutout innings, allowing just 2 hits and a walk while racking up 9 K's. The effort lowered his ERA to an impressive 3.26 in 88.1 innings with the Baysox.

So close...Trace Bright had his first decision victory of 2024 within reach, exiting the game Sunday with a 2-1 lead after navigating 6.1 strong. Houston Roth was unable to hold the lead however, costing Bowie the game and series with a poor performance. It also left poor Trace sitting at 0-11. 

Aberdeen IronBirds
Lost series with Jersey Shore Blue Claws 2-4

Solid Aberdeen debut for many 2024 draftees, with Ethan Anderson leading the charge! The catcher from UVA went 6-17 with a hit in every game, adding in a spotless 3/3 on stolen base attempts. He's made a really smooth transition from ACC ball to the minors, batting .288 across two levels. 

His Cavalier teammate Griff O'Ferrall didn't look overwhelmed by the increase in competition, posting a .300 average in 5 games. He's shown a good batting approach early on in his career, striking out 13 times compared to 10 walks while posting a .250 average, encouragingly in line with his college numbers. 

Still waiting on that first home run from Vance Honeycutt. The first rounder had a dismal series against Jersey Shore, managing just 2 hits in 20 at bats while racking up 11 K's. The UNC product was always going to be a project, but he hasn't given much reason for optimism since joining the farm.

It seems like only the end to the regular season will keep Nestor German out of these columns, as the 22-year-old was brilliant out of the pen once again on Saturday. 4 innings, 4 hits, no walks or runs allowed plus 6 strikeouts; a perfect conclusion to a masterful campaign for German. Don't forget the name over the winter.

Two scoreless appearances and a save from Yaqui Rivera to wrap up his year on a high note. The effort lowered Rivera's ERA to 1.99 across 54.1 IP in Aberdeen, priming him to take a prominent role in Bowie's bullpen in 2025.

Delmarva Shorebirds
Tied series with Carolina Mudcats 3-3

Edwin Amparo carried his hot streak into September, posting a .273/2/4 line versus the Mudcats. The Dominican prospect produced respectable .284/.398/.395 slashes in 27 Low-A games, showing a mature approach at the plate. He'll be in line to start for the Shorebirds next year.

Unconventional journey for Fernando Peguero's through this O's minor league system, going from the FCL to Norfolk than back down to Delmarva. His one series made a good impression with the club, going 4-11 in 4 games. 5 of the 7 outs he was responsible for came via strikeout, an area he'll need to improve.

Beautiful Friday night performances from Jacob Cravey, Yeiber Cartaya and Joe Glassey, combining for 7 strikeouts as they shutout Carolina 3-0. Six of those K's belonged to Cartaya, who earned his second decision victory with the team. He'd finish his short stint at Class-A with a 1.11 ERA and 11.47 K/9 across 24.1.

Hate to see 27th ranked Keeler Morfe end things in such an ugly fashion. After allowing just 4 earned runs in the entire month of August, Morfe generously awarded 5 earned on Saturday, via 4 walks and a hit by pitch. The one out he recorded was a strikeout, for whatever that's worth, but a bad last taste to leave in your mouth.

Blake Money was locked in one more time Sunday afternoon, racking up 9 strikeouts as he hurled 5 scoreless en route to a 9-3 victory. The LSU alum was a reliable piece for Delmarva all season, who'll be moving up to at least Aberdeen by next spring.