A look at how all four Baltimore Orioles Minor League affiliates performed this past week
*Cover Photo Credit: John Topoleski
It was a busy week down on the farm in the Orioles' Minor League System last week. Let's take a look at what went down last week for each of the Orioles' four Minor League affiliates.
AAA Norfolk Tides
It has just not been clicking lately for the Tides. They entered last week having dropped their previous series against the Gwinnett Stripers (Braves AAA) 1-5. With a chance to refresh and turn things around last week, they did the opposite and dropped their series with the Worcester Red Sox (Red Sox AAA) 1-5.
The Tides were completely overwhelmed by Red Sox hitting all week and that, of course, is a lineup recently rejuvenated with many of Boston's top prospects including Kyle Teel. The Sox outscored the Tides 49-21, outhit them 66-42, and went 19-for-61 (.311) with runners in scoring position all week. Red Sox prospect Roman Anthony destroyed Tides pitching, going 11-for-28 (.393) with 8 RBI. That being said, the Tides pitching did not help themselves much. A whopping 30 walks, including 12 on Wednesday, and 12 home runs were just some of the many problems that the pitching ran into last week. Trevor Rogers, acquired at the trade deadline by the Orioles and recently demoted, struggled in his Tides debut on Sunday as he was shelled for 10 runs in 4.1 innings of work. He walked 3 batters. In the midst of a rough week, we must take away some positives as well. The Tides did have a nice 6-3 win on Saturday on the heels of a 3-for-4 night from Orioles No. 12 prospect Jud Fabian and 4.2 solid innings on the mound from No. 20 prospect Brandon Young. Levi Stoudt went 2 innings with just one unearned run and got the win. Former big league veteran Jean Segura picked up 2 RBI.
The win does not take away the fact that it was a rough week for the Tides, who are now just 2-10 in their last 12 games. They fall to 22-30 in the second half standings in the International League North and 58-69 overall. Here are three players who stood out last week and played well for Norfolk.
IF Coby Mayo: the Orioles' No. 2 prospect had a nice week with the bat, going 6-for-21 (.286) with a home run, 5 RBI, a triple, and an .899 OPS.
UT Niko Goodrum: the former Detroit Tiger had a great showing in 4 games last week. He went 5-for-12 (.417) with a 1.128 OPS, a double, a triple, and 2 runs scored.
RHP Brandon Young: the top prospect pitcher showed out again and helped pitch the Tides to victory on Saturday. In 4.1 innings of work, he allowed just 3 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 10 batters.
Norfolk has already started their next series, a 6-game set at the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (Marlins AAA). They split their last series with Jacksonville in July.
AA Bowie Baysox
It was Fan Appreciation Week all of last week at Prince George's Stadium. A slew of fan events and a guest appearance from Orioles legend Adam Jones highlighted the many festivities held at Bowie, as did a solid 3-3 series split from the Baysox and the Erie Seawolves (Tigers AA).
The Baysox did not hesitate to utilize small ball and the running game at all last week, and it is what won them the extra innings contest on Tuesday. There were 7 stolen bases, 4 combined from No. 5 prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Frederick Bencosme, and a sacrifice bunt from Tavian Josenberger in the 10th inning was all they needed to win the game, as that led to an Erie throwing error and the game-winning run. The Baysox ended up stealing 16 bases combined throughout the duration of the series. The bats continued to heat up, and some individuals had some great offensive showings. Bradfield hit .400 and went 4-for-5 on Sunday, while No. 3 prospect Samuel Basallo's 8-for-19 (.421) week earned him league player of the week and a promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. Within the first three games of the series, Bowie had collected 26 hits, collected 13 walks, and hit .294 with runners in scoring position. The month of August has proven friendly to the Baysox offense, a lineup that has been boosted by both constant adjustments to their plate approach and reinforcements from the Aberdeen Ironbirds.
The Baysox are now 57-63 overall and 25-27 in the second half Eastern League Southwest Standings. Here are three standout performers from last week for Bowie.
C Samuel Basallo: the 20-year-old phenom prospect went 8-for-19 (.421) last week with a home run, 6 RBI, 4 runs scored, and a 1.255 OPS. He won Eastern League Player of the Week and will now look to continue his success with Triple-A Norfolk.
OF Enrique Bradfield Jr.: the speedster had a phenomenal week as he stole 4 bases and went 10-for-25 (.400). He had a 1.084 OPS, 3 RBI, and 6 runs scored, and he easily could have made his own case for player of the week.
RHP Dylan Heid: the 25-year-old righty had two nice relief outings last week. In 3 innings, he struck out 4 batters while walking just one and allowing just one earned run.
Bowie is currently on a 6-game road trip visiting the Akron Rubberducks (Guardians AA).
A+ Aberdeen Ironbirds
The Ironbirds did battle with the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox A+) last week, and they had more than a satisfactory week with a 5-1 series win.
The 'Birds did not need to do a ton of hitting early on in the series. With just 6 runs in the first two games, they let the pitching ride with back-to-back shutout efforts against the Dash. Zach Fruit, who could be on the brink of a promotion to Bowie, tossed 6 scoreless innings on Tuesday on just 69 pitches (47 strikes). Levi Wells went 4 innings on Wednesday, striking out 5 and failing to allow a walk. The offense broke out a little more in a 9-4 Thursday win, as all but one hitter in the starting lineup reached base. Jalen Vasquez had a 2-RBI game, and No. 22 prospect Leandro Arias had an RBI double. The 'Birds used some walk-off magic for wins on Saturday and Sunday. Vazquez bunted the Ironbirds to a 2-1 win in the 10th inning on Saturday, and No. 16 prospect Thomas Sosa singled in the winning run in the 11th inning of Sunday's 7-6 win. The story of this series is that the pitching came out and gave the 'Birds a chance to win, and the offense quietly came up clutch in times when they needed to. The Ironbirds played very well last week against the Dash.
Aberdeen improves to 29-26 in the second half South Atlantic League North standings. They are 63-58 overall. Here are three standout performers from last week.
IF Jalen Vasquez: the infield prospect reached base safely in each game that he appeared in last week. He went 6-for-15 (.400) with 2 RBI, 2 stolen bases, and 4 runs scored.
RHP Zach Fruit: the 24-year-old did not allow a hit in his 6-inning start last Tuesday. He struck out 4 batters and was as efficient as efficient gets with 69 pitches (47 strikes) in those 6 innings of work.
RHP Levi Wells: the righty was dominant on Wednesday as he went 4 innings allowing no runs and no walks on 5 strikeouts and 43 pitches (32 strikes).
Aberdeen is currently on the road visiting the Wilmington Blue Rocks (Nationals A+).
A- Delmarva Shorebirds
The Shorebirds did battle with the Down East Wood Ducks (Rangers A-) last week on the road, and they claimed the road trip with a 4-2 series win. This makes Delmarva 11-9 this season against Down East.
Like Aberdeen, Delmarva did not need a ton of offense early in the series thanks to great pitching. Wins of 6-0, 4-1, and 3-1 proved how much of a pitching showcase it was for the 'Birds to start the series. Aside from allowing just those 2 runs, Delmarva pitching combined for 34 strikeouts, 14 hits, and 7 walks. Chander Cooper and Eccel Correa worked together in Wednesday's win for a walkless effort, combining for 11 strikeouts and 72% of their pitches being thrown for strikes. On the Sunday finale, Blake Money threw well with 4.2 innings of 4-run ball and 7 punchouts. The bullpen relieved him with a 5.1 scoreless innings to finish off a 5-4 win. Perhaps the biggest headline coming out of Delmarva last week was the debut of No. 4 prospect Vance Honeycutt. The 21-year-old was the Orioles' first round pick this year out of the University of North Carolina. Debuting in the organization last week, the former Tar Heel went 3-for-11 (.273) without an RBI but 2 quick stolen bases. He will play in front of the home Shorebirds crowd for the first time this week, giving fans yet another exciting glimpse of the Orioles' future and what could become of this speedy, power-hitting outfielder.
Delmarva is now 48-72 and 25-30 in the second half Carolina League North Standings. They are 7-3 in their last 10 games. Here are three standout performers from last week for Delmarva.
OF Austin Overn: the 2024 draftee had a 4-for-4 day on Saturday with 2 runs scored. He went 8-for-19 (.421) in 5 games last week with an RBI, 8 stolen bases, and a 1.110 OPS.
C Ethan Anderson: congrats to the former University of Virginia backstop who swatted his first professional home run last week. He ended up going 7-for-21 last week with 5 RBI and a .937 OPS.
RHP Chandler Cooper: the righty tossed 5 dominant innings on Wednesday as he did not allow either a run or a walk while striking out 6 batters.
Delmarva has started a 6-game homestand against the Salem Red Sox (Red Sox A-). The Shorebirds dropped their last set with Salem 2-4.
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