A look at how all four Baltimore Orioles Minor League affilates performed this past week
The first week of August has quickly passed by, and there was a lot that happened down on the farm for the Baltimore Orioles and their four Minor League affiliates. Here is a recap of everything that happened in the Orioles' Minor League system last week.
AAA Norfolk Tides
Everyone loves a good ol' Norfolk Tides and Durham Bulls (Rays AAA) square off, though Tides fans love it more when their hometown team pulls off a series win. The Tides did not win the series, but they did not lose it either as they finished 3-3 last week against their division riva Bull Durhams.
Many of the Orioles' beloved top prospects like Jackson Holliday and Coby Mayo supplied much of the previous talent and the offense for the Tides. Now that they are big league bound and with Billy Cook and Connor Norby gone via trade, last week was the team's first real test as to what they could pull off without them. The impact of losing such professional hitters was felt as the team went just 8-for-46 (.173) last week with runners in scoring position and struck out 52 times. They were held to 3 runs and 5 hits in Tuesday's 10-3 loss. However, they did walk a modest 21 times in the series and showed ther willingness to get on base, but still with nothing to show for. This will certainly be a test for the Tides' lineup moving forward as for so long, the offense was led by some of the game's most prestigious prospects. As they have moved on, it is all about who can step up and take charge with the bat in given opportunities. New arrivals like infielder TT Bowens will have those sorts of opportunities and with the recent additions to the Bowie Baysox outfield, perhaps some more guys follow Bowens and get bumped up as well. As the Tides keep pushing to win ballgames and get the offense clicking, the hitters now need to step up extra and salvage the chances that they are about to receive.
Shoutout to Justin Armbruester, though, as he tossed 6 solid innings on Friday night with just 2 earned runs and a walk with 7 strikeouts.
The Tides are now 19-20 in the second half International League East standings with a 55-59 overall record. Here are three standout performers from last week's homestand.
RHP Justin Armbruester: the Orioles' No. 6 prospect had a nice outing on Friday as he went 6 innings, allowing just 2 earned runs while punching out 7 batters and walking just one. He allowed only 5 hits.
RHP Colin Selby: the right-hander had a nice week out of the Tides' bullpen. He made two appearances, pitching a total of 3 scoreless innings with 2 strikeouts, 2 hits, and one walk.
RHP Dillon Tate: the veteran righty appeared out of the Norfolk bullpen twice last week and was efficient as efficident gets. He struck out 3 batters in 2 scoreless innings, surrendered just 2 hits, and walked none.
The Tides are on the road this week as they will face the Gwinnett Stripers (Braves AAA) for a 6-game road trip.
AA Bowie Baysox
Pretty much everything that could have gone right for the Baysox this week went right in a 5-1 series win over the Harrisburg Senators.
They hit very well, both situationally and just in general. Individuals stepped up including Noelberth Romero, who had both walk-off hits in Saturday's doubleheader sweep, and Samuel Basallo, who went 10-for-22 (.455) during the series including a 4-for-5 showing on Wednesday. Jud Fabian had himself a week with two 3-hit games. Most notably, the team took advantage of chances with runners in scoring position. In the first inning of Wednsday's game, Silas Ardoin contributed to the bases loaded rally with an RBI single and Ryan Higgins folowed that by crushing a grand slam down the left field line. They also pitched very well as many starters and relievers had fantastic outings throughout the week. Alex Pham's 5-inning 2-hit gem on Wednesday earned him an Eastern League Performance of the Week recognition, and Pat Reilly had a fantastic first start in the organization on Sunday with 4 scoreless innings and 4 strikeouts. Levi Stoudt blanked the Senators on Wednesday with a 2 inning, 13-pithc hitless appearance out of the bullpen. Overall, the Baysox played great baseball all week and had the Senators' big go-ahead hit on Sunday not happened, it would have been the Baysox' first series sweep of the season. There is little to complain about from last week though, and the Baysox should have their heads held high heading into this week.
Bowie improves to 50-57 overall and 18-21 in the second half Eastern League Southwest standings. Here are three standout performers from last week's series win.
OF Jud Fabian: the Orioles' No. 8 prospect tore it up last week as he went 8-for-23 (.444) with a pair of 3-hit efforts, a home run, 6 RBI, 5 walks, and 4 runs scored. His 3-hit, 3 RBI night on Tuesday propelled the Baysox' 5-3 win.
C Samuel Basallo: the Orioles' No. 2 prospect (MLB's No. 11) did nothing but hit last week as he went 10-for-22 (.455) with 4 RBI, 5 runs scored, and 3 doubles. He posted a 1.049 OPS in the 6 games that he appeared in.
RHP Alex Pham: the "Phamily Guy" does it again! The top pitching prospect spun 5 scoreless innings on Wednesday, allowing just 2 hits while striking out 5. He needed just 67 pitches (49 strikes).
The Baysox hit the road this week for a 6-game set at the Altoona Curve (Pirates AA).
A+ Aberdeen Ironbirds
The Ironbirds did battle last week with the Hickory Crawdads (Rangers A+) in a closely contested 6-game road trip. The series inded with each team claiming 3 wins a piece.
It was a rough start to the series for Aberdeen, who dropped the first two games. On Tuesday, after the Ironbirds tied the game at 3-3 in the 6th inning, they saw Hickory put up a rally and score two runs on one swing, a 2-RBI double that would be enough to seal a 5-3 Crawdads win. On Wednesday, just when it seemed like Aberdeen had done enough offensively to even the series, Hickory ended up being one run better in a frustrating 9-8 Aberdeen loss. Aron Estrada did swat his first Ironbirds home run, however. Aberdeen rebounded nicely for the rest of the series and took three of the remaining four games. They managed to score a run in each inning of Friday's rain-shortened 5-1, 5-inning win, and Reed Trimble went a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run and a stolen base. In Game 2 of Saturday's doubleheader, Michael Forret had a nice outing on the mound as he went 4 innings surrendering just one run and striking out 3. Kyle Virbitsky and Cooper Chandler shoved 3 efficient scoreless innings behind him. On Sunday, the Ironbirds added four more stolen bases, and Edgar Portes had a 4-inning 6 strikeout start on the bump en route to a 4-0 series finale win.
The Ironbirds now sit at 22-20 in the South Atlantic League North second half standings. They are 56-52 overall, and they are currently the only Orioles affiliate above .500. Here are three standout performers last week for the Ironbirds.
OF Tavian Josenberger: the former third round pick reached base safely in every game that he appeared in last week. He went 6-for-17 (.353) with 2 home runs, 3 RBI, 4 walks, and 3 stolen bases, and he will now look to continue his success at Double-A Bowie starting tonight.
C Creed Willems: the 21-year-old was eased back into action this week after having just come off the Injured List, but he performed very well in his first games since July 6. He went 5-for-10 (.500) with a home run and 5 RBI.
OF Douglas Hodo III: the outfielder had a solid 3 games last week, going 3-for-9 (.333) with 2 stolen bases, 3 RBI, and 4 walks.
Aberdeen returns home this week for a 6-game homestand against the Greenville Drive (Red Sox A+). Find me at tomorrow's game and be sure to say hi!
A- Delmarva Shorebirds
It was a tough week for the Shorebirds who did battle with the Salem Red Sox (Red Sox A-) and dropped the series 4-2. This makes them 4-6 in their last 10 games.
The first two losses were particularly frustrating, as the Shorebirds' held a 2-1 lead heading into the bottom of the 8th until a wild pitch eventually cost them the lead and a Salem RBI single in the 10th finished a walk-off loss for the Shorebirds. On Wednesday, the 'Birds put up two runs in the top of the 9th inning to bring them back within two runs, but they could not keep the rally going and fell to the Red Sox 5-3. They Shorebirds were able to pick up two wins following the furstrating start to the series including a doubleheader split on Saturday. In Game 1 of that doubleheader, Keeler Morfe and Yeiber Cartaya combined to shutout the Red Sox, allowing just 4 hits and striking out a combined 14 batters in a 7-inning victory. Cole Urman and Stiven Acevedo each hit home runs, and Angel Tejada collected 2 RBI. The 'Birds dropped the remaining two games of the series, however, as they could only score a comined 5 runs in the next 16 innings alongside just 15 hits.
The Shorebirds fall to 40-67 overall and 17-25 in the second half standings in the Carolina League North. Here are three standout performers from last week.
RHP Braxton Bragg: the righty stayed hot for the 'Birds on the bump as he got the start on Friday and went 5 scoreless innings, striking out 6, walking 2, and allowing only 2 hits.
RHP Keeler Morfe: the right-hander had a nice Shorebirds debut on Saturday as he stared Game 1 of the doubleheader and went 3 scoreless innings, striking out 7 and allowing just one hit.
C Aneudis Mordan: the backstop had a nice 6-for-15 (.400) week with a 3 doubles and a stolen base.
The Shorebirds return home this week for a 6-game homestand against the Carolina Mudcats (Brewers A-). They'll have some new faces on the roster as five memebers of the 2024 draft class will suit up for the first time as members of the Orioles organiation and debut for the Shorebirds. Some of those names include infielder Griff O'Farrell and catcher Ethan Anderson.
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