The Orioles have the most stacked farm system in MLB and are in position to make a playoff run. It may be time to flip young prospects for established talent. But which players should they let go, and at what cost?
The Reds and Orioles share a unique mutual respect. Both teams withstood the doldrums of a rebuild, and now — finally — can feel the excitement that follows thanks to bright young stars.
If it feels like Jordan Westburg took forever for a call-up, he did. But the Orioles have shifted from an organization prioritizing development to one prioritizing winning. And as the team tries to stay near the top of the standings, players in the minor leagues are going to feel the squeeze.
With Jordan Westburg finally ascending to the majors, the natural question — who’s next? — has a clear answer: The No. 5 pick in the 2021 draft is ready. And he's gotten here not through a detailed routine, but by learning to laugh at himself along the way.
Westburg, in addition to reaching base four times and earning his first RBI, showed off his prowess on defense as the Orioles took the weather-delayed series opener from the Reds.
The Orioles will have two representatives at the All-Star Futures Game in Seattle on July 8 at T-Mobile Park: Shortstop Jackson Holliday and outfielder Heston Kjerstad.
“It hit me pretty hard,” Westburg said of the call-up news Monday from his locker at Camden Yards. The top prospect tore through Triple-A over the past year and could help an Orioles infield that has lagged in production recently.
This move is akin to Gunnar Henderson’s and Adley Rutschman’s promotions — that is, the Orioles don’t promote top prospects unless they’re going to receive regular plate appearances.
Cedric Mullins, an All-Star two summers ago and a Silver Slugger winner, was activated Saturday after going on the injured list May 30 with a right groin strain.
Though Gibson has emerged as a steadying force for a young pitching staff while providing better-than-expected results, his struggles led to Baltimore's fifth loss in eight games.