Half the Orioles Future is at Bowie in 2021
by Rodger M. Wood
A 20-month pandemic was far too long a wait to see a ball game, but just the same, it was quickly forgotten yesterday when I saw the Orioles' young AA Bowie Baysox knock the cover off the ball against the Phillies AA - Reading Fighting Phillies at Bowie MD.
In the bottom of the first inning, Anthony Santander, on rehab from the Big Orioles, fouled off a bunch of pitches before hitting a blast to right center which looked like it would come down on Route 50 and roll all the way to the Annapolis.
Anthony Santander swings away at Bowie
The 2019 #1 draft pick and Orioles #1, hitting cleanup 4th in the batting order, Adler Rutschman's followed suit in 9th Inning with another tremendous clout, his 3rd HR of the season tying the game. He caught the 10 inning game and looked like a leader behind the plate,
Adley Rutschman Gets Ahold of One
CF and lead off hitter, Terrin Vavra, who the Orioles acquired in a trade for Mychal Gvens from the Rockies in 2020, looked like 5-tool talent, stealing a base, showing his speed in CF, and getting a couple base hits and BB in 4 AB.
Terrin Vavra leads off 1B
Unheralded 15th Round pick 2017, JC Escarra 1B won the game doubling in the winning runs in the walk off bottom of the 10th inning. In 32 AB he's hit 3 HR and driven in 8 RBI.
JC Escarra swings away.
Hitting 5th in the order, 3B Patrick Dorrian, walked three times and sacrificed flied in a couple runs. He kept his nose down on a couple rocket shots and played a tough hot corner.
Patrick Dorrian makes the throw to 1B
Orioles top rated prospect LHP DL Hall started and threw bee bees in the first inning getting the side out in the first inning, but then faltering in the second and third innings, allowing a HR, walking 4 batters, and allowing 4 earned runs. He looked overpowering in the first, but could not get any close pitches called a strike in 2nd and 3rd innings.
Don't give up on this young man, he's 1-0 W-L, 3.75 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 23 K in 12 IP in AA - ball in 2021 and looks like he's got the stuff to be great once he gets a handle on all his pitches.
DL Hall Fires Away
The young Orioles are for real - go out to see them and get back your optimism about the Orioles future. It'll take a little more than the pandemic wait, but once ready, these young ballplayers at Bowie will make be the difference between a mediocre and winning Baltimore Orioles team. They're worth waiting to see in the Bigs!