Baseball

Prospect train keeps fueling young Orioles

This story was excerpted from Jake Rill’s Orioles Beat e-newsletter. To learn the complete e-newsletter, click on here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.

“We’re going to carry guys up right here if we really feel like they may also help us win,” supervisor Brandon Hyde stated. “We really feel like Jordan may also help us win and impression our crew positively. It’s not a growth scenario. We’re making an attempt to win video games.”

How instances have modified in Baltimore.

The O’s, now 48-30 following Tuesday’s loss to the Reds, are 18 video games above .500, a place they have not been in since 2016. The largest distinction this time is that Baltimore additionally at present has a farm system broadly thought to be one of the best in baseball, which was removed from the case again then.

Early in Hyde’s tenure, the massive league crew struggled (131-253 from 2019-21) because the group rebuilt. Now, the Orioles are having success. They usually’re thriving whereas a number of high prospects have appeared near being large league prepared within the higher ranges of the Minors.

Westburg (MLB Pipeline’s No. 33 overall prospect) was amongst that group. He departed a gifted Triple-A Norfolk squad that also consists of outfielders Colton Cowser (No. 14) and Heston Kjerstad (No. 39), infielders Joey Ortiz (No. 66) and Connor Norby (No. 70) and extra.

“That is what wholesome organizations do, is that they haven’t only a gifted Main League crew, however they’ve guys competing within the Minor Leagues additionally,” Hyde stated. “Most good Main League groups have good gamers in Triple-A, [and] it’s robust to interrupt by way of as a result of the massive league crew is doing nicely.

“We’re excited in regards to the guys we’ve got in Triple-A. There’s going to in all probability be extra callups sooner or later all year long, and that’s at all times going to be thrilling.”

Hyde and normal supervisor Mike Elias have each acknowledged there are fixed conversations between them and the remainder of Baltimore’s entrance workplace relating to doable promotions. Westburg was a well-liked subject for some time. Others are knocking on the door themselves — most notably Cowser, together with his .978 OPS in 52 Triple-A video games this season.

There are extra gifted, large league-caliber gamers within the group than spots accessible on Baltimore’s 26-man energetic roster. Because the widespread cliche in baseball goes, it’s a “good drawback to have.”

It could seem to be it might be troublesome for these kids to attend for his or her time to reach. However Westburg didn’t really feel that manner.

“I used to be simply centered on making an attempt to get higher each single day. Making an attempt to ensure that I used to be doing what I’m doing to perhaps set myself as much as be at this step the place I’m proper now,” stated Westburg, the No. 30 total decide within the 2020 MLB Draft. “It didn’t really feel like a very long time. It felt like I obtained drafted yesterday.”

To date, Westburg has made a robust first impression with the O’s. Over his first two video games, he went 3-for-7 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored whereas enjoying sturdy protection within the infield.

No person is stunned. They usually received’t be sooner or later, both, if the following prospects who present up get off to equally spectacular begins.

“They’re enjoying actually good ball down there, and I do know they wish to carry it over after they rise up right here,” stated rookie infielder Gunnar Henderson, a former No. 1 total prospect. “Actually trying ahead to having [Westburg] up right here and simply with the ability to spend time with him once more, as a result of it’s been a very long time coming.”


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Printed : 2023-06-28 20:21:27

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