The Orioles are promoting their top draft choice, outfielder Colton Cowser, who was the team’s first-round pick in last month’s draft, from the Florida Complex League to Low-A Delmarva.
Cowser hit .500 (11-for-22) in seven games in the FCL. He had a home run and eight RBIs.
Unfortunately, rain has marred FCL play this summer, and Cowser and the other prospects have had a number of games cancelled.
Cowser will be joined at Delmarva, which hosts Fredericksburg on Tuesday night by a number of recent draft choices.
Connor Norby, the second baseman, who was the Orioles’ second-round choice will also go to the Shorebirds along with outfielders Reed Trimble (competitive balance pick), John Rhodes (3rd) Dontá Williams (4th), right-hander Carlos Tavera (5th), infielder Collin Burns (6th), catcher Connor Pavalony, outfielder Billy Cook (10th), infielder Jacob Teter (13th), right-handers Peter Van Loon (16th), Conor Grady (18th), two undrafted free agents, right-handers Daniel Federman and Preston Price and last year’s fourth-round pick third baseman Coby Mayo.
Promoted to High-A Aberdeen from Delmarva are infielders TT Bowens, Jean Carmona, Ryne Ogren, outfielders Cristopher Cespedes and Lamar Sparks, and right-handers Noah Denoyer, Griffin McLarty and Adam Stauffer.
Going from Aberdeen to Double-A Bowie are infielder Jordan Westburg, who was chosen 30th overall in last year’s draft, right-hander Tyler Burch, acquired from Philadelphia in last month’s trade for Freddy Galvis, infielders Andrew Daschbach and J.D. Mundy and right-handers Morgan McSweeney and Garrett Stallings, who was acquired in the trade from the Los Angeles Angels for Alex Cobb.
Right-hander Cody Sedlock, the top pick in the 2016 draft and Blaine Knight, the third-round pick in 2018, go from Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk.
Mateo trying to show off: Jorge Mateo, who the Orioles acquired from San Diego on waivers on August 5, is starting at second base. It will be his seventh start at second. He’s started twice at second.
Mateo is hitting .286 in nine games (10-for-35) with two RBIs, and the former Top 100 prospect is making a good impression with the Orioles,
“We have a lot of really good people here, a lot of really good coaches, and I’m so happy to be here with those guys,” Mateo said.
“That’s a real opportunity. I want to take advantage of it, and I’m so happy to take the opportunity the Orioles gave me.”
Mateo, whose best position is short, he said, is eager to play anywhere, and he’s shown off outstanding speed. Statcast has measured Mateo as the third fastest player in baseball. He’s stolen three bases, and been thrown out once.
“That’s an advantage for me.” he said. “And for the fans to give me the support that they’ve been doing, and show it off.”
Mateo, who signed with the New York Yankees in 2012, also played in the Oakland organization before debuting with the Padres in 2020.
“No, not frustrating, just be ready for the day when I have the opportunity to play, be ready every day,” Mateo said. “It was a happy time for me with this team.
“You never know when it’s your time. Every day is your time to come to the field to do everything you need to do to be better, better and better every day. You never know when your time is coming. You’ve got to be ready every day because your time is every day. That’s my mentality.”
One shortcoming is Mateo’s lack of plate discipline. In his major league career, he’s struck out 48 times and walked just three times. With the Orioles, Mateo has struck out 10 times without drawing a walk
“It’s difficult,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “It’s something we’ve talked a lot about this year because we don’t have a lineup full of guys that have a lot of walks in their career, and came through the minor leagues showing good plate discipline, putting up numbers, but not walking much and when you get to the big leagues when you have pitchers who have betters stuff, better command, if you’re not getting in hitter’s counts, it’s tough to hit.
“It’s been an emphasis of ours for the past three years now. You see some guys improving, gradually improving. [Ryan] Mountcastle is one we’ve talked a lot about. His plate awareness, his plate discipling has improved. It’s something that we need to collectively get better at with our hitters to be able to hit the premier pitching in this league.”
Injury update: Hyde hopes that Ryan Mountcastle, who’s on the 7-day concussion injured list is nearly ready to return to the team.
“He’s still in concussion protocol,” Hyde said. “Today he is doing all baseball activities. He’s going to take batting practice on the field. He’s going to do all his defensive work. Then he goes through his evaluations tomorrow, and I think if all things go well, it could be in the next day or two.”
Hunter Harvey, who is in Sarasota, rehabbing the lat strain that put him on the 10-day injured list last month, could return “in the next week or so,” according to Hyde.
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