Orioles prospects provide glimpse of possible future
The Orioles' major league team received plenty of attention for its 4-3 walk-off win on Wednesday. A more impressive game occurred in the minor leagues.
The Norfolk Tides, the Orioles' Triple-A team, put on an offensive display in Charlotte. The Tides won 26-11, a score that has never occurred in the majors, scoring the most runs of any team in the International League since 2013.
Kyle Stowers hit three homers as part of an eight-home run barrage, setting a Tides record for most homers in a game.
Baltimore's future is evident with the Tides. The Orioles' top four prospects, and five of the top six, are part of the Norfolk lineup. Four top-35 prospects in baseball — infielder Jackson Holliday (1), catcher Samuel Basallo (17), infielder Coby Mayo (29) and outfielder Heston Kjerstad (31) — are part of the roster.
Several of these players may be in the majors before long. Mayo has improved his defense at third but is also seeing time at first base. Stowers has 131 major league plate appearances between 2022 and 2023 and could be the first call if an injury happens in the outfield. Holliday, Kjerstad and second baseman/outfielder Connor Norby are all expected to make their major league debuts sometime this year.
The Orioles' impressive young roster will get an infusion of even more talent hopefully soon.
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