Grayson Rodriguez remains to be adjusting to his new workplace.
“It still doesn’t feel normal to pull up the Camden Yards to come to work,” the Orioles’ high pitching prospect stated. “Just kind of a relief, I guess, that finally I’m coming here to this ballpark to be a part of the team and not just to show up for something else.”
Against the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, Rodriguez will make his first begin at Oriole Park after his promotion final week made him the most recent member of baseball’s top-ranked farm system to achieve the majors. The Triple-A workforce he left behind has achieved simply high-quality; the Norfolk Tides are 7-1 and have a lineup loaded with high prospects and hitters who narrowly missed making the Orioles’ opening day roster.
“That was a lot of talent,” Rodriguez stated. “The days that I was down there, I saw a lot of just home runs and some runs being scored, so they’re definitely having fun down there.”
That lineup will add one other high prospect this week in Kyle Stowers, who the Orioles optioned over the weekend so he may obtain constant taking part in time after getting used sporadically within the majors. Rodriguez is aware of firsthand the issue of breaking by means of within the majors. He was despatched down on the finish of spring coaching after the expectation getting into camp was that he would make his debut as a member of Baltimore’s season-opening rotation. After Rodriguez made just one begin with Norfolk, Kyle Bradish’s bruised proper foot opened a chance for him in Baltimore, and he hopes to proceed to construct on it after holding the Texas Rangers to 2 runs over 5 innings, with the ultimate 4 being scoreless, in his debut.
“That first inning, I was a little nervous,” Rodriguez stated. “It kind of felt bigger than a baseball game, but after that, it was just settling in, realizing it’s another three outs and you take your team in to hit, so just carrying that into this next game. I think it’ll feel a little bit more normal.”
Rodriguez is promised nothing greater than Tuesday’s outing, with Bradish nearing a rehabilitation begin and a subsequent return to the rotation. That may immediate Rodriguez to return to Norfolk, the place he as soon as once more can be again among the many younger expertise ready for a constant alternative at Camden Yards.
And there certain is loads of younger expertise. The Orioles have ended their rebuild, however in the meanwhile, they’ve the mix of a significant league workforce eyeing a playoff spot and what’s thought to be the game’s finest assortment of minor leaguers. Even as what’s taking place at Camden Yards every night time is as essential because it has been in recent times, the developments on the farm stay a major a part of the group’s hopes to construct a long-term contender within the American League East.
That’s why every week, The Baltimore Sun will break down 5 of the highest performers within the Orioles’ prospect ranks and hand out some superlatives for individuals who didn’t make that lower.
1. Low-A Delmarva infielder Jackson Holliday
Only a handful of video games into the 12 months, Gunnar Henderson graduated from prospect standing, and with Rodriguez within the majors, it won’t be lengthy earlier than Holliday is formally the group’s high prospect. Back with Low-A Delmarva after impressing as a 19-year-old in main league spring coaching, Holliday went 6-for-13 with three doubles, drawing two walks in opposition to one strikeout as he posted a 1.225 OPS over three video games to start his first full skilled season.
2. Triple-A Norfolk outfielder Hudson Haskin
Perhaps probably the most notable prospect excluded from the Orioles’ listing of nonroster invitees to large league camp, Haskin has gotten off to a robust begin in Norfolk’s imposing lineup. Playing in seven of the Tides’ eight video games, Baltimore’s 2020 second-round decide hit .320 with a 1.029 OPS with a double, triple and residential run. He struck out in 10 of his 32 plate appearances, however he balanced that out with 4 walks and three hit-by-pitches. Rule 5-eligible this winter, Haskin may use a giant season to show his value to the Orioles or one other group, and he’s gotten off to a robust begin.
3. High-A Aberdeen right-hander Trace Bright
In Bright’s High-A debut Saturday, the 2022 fifth-round decide struck out 10 in opposition to Auburn, inlcuding eight of the primary 9 batters he confronted, with an error behind him the one exception. He then walked the following two batters, made an error of his personal and surrendered a double that scored three unearned runs earlier than hanging out his ultimate two batters.
4. Double-A Bowie outfielder-first baseman Heston Kjerstad
After two misplaced years, Kjerstad shined within the fall, incomes MVP honors within the Arizona Fall League. He impressed within the spring as one in every of Baltimore’s camp standouts. He’s on his option to exhibiting he can shine in the summertime, too. In his second Double-A at-bat, the 2020 second-overall draft decide homered, fueling a gap weekend wherein he slugged .500 and walked greater than he struck out. Notably, his two appearances within the discipline each got here at first base, a place he practiced in spring however had but to look in a recreation at as knowledgeable.
5. Double-A Bowie right-hander Chayce McDermott
Acquired from the Houston Astros within the three-team commerce that despatched Trey Mancini to the eventual World Series champions, McDermott struggled in his introduction to Double-A final season with a 6.08 ERA over six begins. Working in bulk aid in his first outing Thursday, the 24-year-old struck out six and walked two over 4 no-hit innings. He induced 12 swinging strikes on his 62 pitches, a effectively above-average 19.4%.
The high prospect not featured to date
A again harm on the cusp of spring hampered left-hander DL Hall’s possibilities of breaking camp within the Orioles’ rotation. Although the group may have had him open the 12 months within the bullpen, Hall’s potential as a starter meant he’s getting stretched out for Norfolk. He hasn’t been notably environment friendly in his two begins for the Tides — first throwing 70 pitches in three innings then 78 in 4 1/3 — however he’s struck out 12 over these 7 1/3 frames, permitting 4 runs.
International acquisition of the week
Since signing for a $1.3 million bonus as a 16-year-old in 2021, Dominican catcher Samuel Basallo has been thought to be the Orioles’ high worldwide prospect. In his first weekend with a full-season affiliate, he confirmed why. Now 18, Basallo homered in his first two video games with Delmarva, ending the Shorebirds’ opening collection with a 1.047 OPS.
Time to provide some shine to …
Josh Lester had the least main league expertise of the entire left-handed hitters within the Orioles’ spring competitors, however after a sluggish begin in camp, he took off. He carried that spectacular spring to Norfolk, homering within the Tides’ opener then thrice of their second recreation. His bat has cooled since, however his capacity to play all 4 nook spots paired with a bat that’s made an impression may sooner or later earn him time in Baltimore.
Athletics at Orioles
Tuesday, 6:35 p.m.
TV: MASN
Radio: 97.9 FM, 101.5 FM, 1090 AM
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Source: www.bostonherald.com