Orioles government vp and normal supervisor Mike Elias usually speaks of his want to see prospects “graduate Triple-A” by way of efficiency earlier than selling them to the majors. Jordan Westburg’s cap and robe eventually got here Monday.
After greater than a 12 months of robust performances with Triple-A Norfolk, the Orioles known as up Westburg, a 24-year-old infielder Baseball America ranks because the No. 4 prospect within the group and No. 46 within the sport, earlier than Monday evening’s sport in opposition to the Cincinnati Reds.
Before batting seventh and enjoying second base in his main league debut, Westburg stated the wait wasn’t one thing he focused on. It confirmed in his play, displaying the consistency that has earned him the nickname “Captain” from different Orioles minor leaguers. In 158 video games with the Tides throughout the previous two seasons, Westburg hit .283/.366/.533 with 36 house runs and 128 runs pushed in.
“I trusted that it was going to come,” Westburg stated. “Maybe not in my time, however in due time.
“I definitely felt like I was making the right strides to get to this level, and I didn’t really put too much thought to it. I was just focused on trying to get better every single day, trying to make sure I was doing what I’m doing to maybe set myself to be at this step and where I am right now. Didn’t feel like a long time. Felt like I got drafted yesterday. So, it’s been really quick, really fun.”
To create roster house for Westburg, the Orioles optioned infielder Joey Ortiz — one other well-regarded prospect — to Norfolk, whereas catcher José Godoy cleared waivers and accepted an project to Norfolk, opening a 40-man roster spot.
Promoted to Norfolk alongside eventual prime total prospect Gunnar Henderson early final June, Westburg needed to wait for much longer for his first alternative within the majors. Westburg had 714 Triple-A plate appearances earlier than his promotion, in contrast with Henderson’s 295.
Like Henderson, Westburg was Baltimore’s second choice in a draft, taken thirtieth total in 2020 out of Mississippi State a 12 months after the Orioles drafted Henderson out of an Alabama highschool atop the second spherical with decide No. 42. His school expertise gave him an early leg up on Henderson, however the pair spent a lot of their climbs up Baltimore’s farm system sharing infields. Most of Westburg’s defensive appearances within the minors got here at shortstop, however he usually ceded the place to Henderson and Ortiz whereas seeing common time at second and third base.
Both beat him to the majors. Henderson was known as up final August, baseball’s prime prospect arriving amid the Orioles’ surprising playoff push. Ortiz, additionally a member of Baltimore’s 2019 draft class, was eligible for the Rule 5 draft this previous offseason and thus was added to the group’s 40-man roster, making it simpler for the membership to advertise him over Westburg when a necessity arose for a right-handed-hitting infielder early this 12 months.
Monday, they swapped locations, reuniting Henderson and Westburg.
“He’s been killing it all year, so I’m really happy for him to be up here, and I’m really looking forward to being able to share the infield with him again,” Henderson stated. “We’re competitive with each other. We pushed each other each and every day when we were down there, and really looking forward to doing the same thing up here. I know it’s just going to help both of us become the best player we can be.”
Earlier this month, the Orioles added Josh Lester, a minor league veteran, to the 40-man roster and promoted him over Westburg, with supervisor Brandon Hyde explaining Lester’s call-up by saying the membership sought one other left-handed bat forward of a string of matchups with right-handed starters. In his skilled profession, Westburg has fared much better in opposition to right-handed pitching, posting an OPS greater than 350 factors greater this season when dealing with same-handed pitchers in contrast with when he has the platoon benefit.
His debut got here in opposition to Reds left-hander Brandon Williamson, with fellow right-handed hitters Jorge Mateo and Ramón Urías additionally beginning on the infield whereas Henderson and Adam Frazier, who hit from the left aspect, have been on the bench. Hyde stated enjoying time going ahead was “not set in stone,” with matchups and desires for relaxation the figuring out components.
Henderson and catcher Adley Rutschman, additionally a former No. 1 total prospect, are the one gamers the Orioles have promoted into full-time roles previously two seasons. It’s not but clear whether or not Westburg will be part of them.
“We just felt like he was ready to help impact our team,” Hyde stated. “We feel like Jordan can help us win, impact our team positively. It’s not a development situation. We’re trying to win games.”
If Westburg had any frustrations over being bypassed, he by no means allow them to present in his efficiency. He completed 2022 with an .852 OPS, 27 house runs and 106 RBIs between Norfolk and Double-A Bowie, acknowledged because the group’s minor league participant of the 12 months. This season with the Tides, Westburg has hit .295/.372/.567 with 18 house runs and 54 RBIs in 67 video games. Westburg additionally made six defensive appearances within the outfield for Norfolk, reflecting the flexibility he now brings to Baltimore.
Hyde stated he’ll primarily play second and third for the Orioles, with shortstop additionally an possibility. Westburg stated “I embrace the challenge” of enjoying a number of positions, including he merely desires to do what he can to assist the Orioles win.
“He’s a true professional in every aspect of the word,” Lester stated earlier this month. “The way he goes about his business before the game, he’s probably one of the, if not the most prepared person on the field at all times.”
Westburg was one in every of six infield prospects in Baltimore’s main league camp who appeared on at the very least one offseason listing of baseball’s prime 100 prospects, and solely he and Henderson lasted till the tip of spring. A late-camp harm to one of many Orioles’ established infielders might need resulted in Westburg touchdown on the opening-day roster.
Instead, his wait continued months into the season. But Sunday afternoon, after Norfolk accomplished a primary half during which it topped the International League, Tides supervisor Buck Britton introduced Westburg into the visiting supervisor’s workplace in Nashville, Tennessee, and informed him he was heading to the majors.
Not often known as one to smile, Westburg responded with a nod and a “Yes, sir.”
“It hit me pretty hard, and I was trying stay composed, I think,” Westburg stated a day later within the Orioles clubhouse. “It looks worse than it actually felt, that’s for sure.”
He then went about calling household, discovering the service within the tunnel of Nashville’s ballpark to be “brutal.” But ultimately, he bought via to his dad and mom, Paul and Christine, and spouse, Anna Claire. The three of them joined him at Camden Yards on Monday, a day he described as a “whirlwind” as he settled right into a ballpark he waited a lifetime to get to and hopes to spend years to return.
“First few hours were crazy, trying to figure out travel plans, and got in here pretty early this morning,” Westburg stated.
“But we’re here now.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com