Baltimore Orioles

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.

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.

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.

The shortstop joins Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson as recent O's prospects to stand atop the rankings.

The call-up comes as the club prepares to meet the Cincinnati Reds and budding star Elly De La Cruz.

Strong pitching from starter Kyle Bradish and another save from Félix Bautista help Baltimore overcome an early deficit.

The outfielder capitalized on a rare opportunity to deliver a two-run walk-off homer as the Orioles beat the Mariners.

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.

Austin Hays is leading the American League in batting average. Why can't the 27-year-old get momentum to be an All-Star?

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.

Low-A Aberdeen has been a proving ground for Orioles pitching prospects, and these five have shown promise this season for the Ironbirds.

Rutschman had the most votes among catchers, and will now face Texas’ Jonah Heim in a revote starting with a fresh slate. No other Orioles player advanced to the second phase of fan voting.

A collection of the most important artifacts in Maryland sports history — Johnny Unitas’ first contract, the net Gary Williams cut down after Maryland won its national title — sits in storage.

The Orioles’ top prospect, Jackson Holliday, joins former Orioles All-Star Adam Jones to discuss the Florida Complex League, being prepared for the season, his goals, his approach to games, growing up around baseball and his training regimen.

Hicks and the Orioles couldn’t get anything going in a 7-2 loss to the Rays, but the outfielder is hitting .321 with four home runs in 18 games since signing in Baltimore.

Baltimore’s top pitching prospect is focused on fixing his fastball and figuring out how to use his slider against top hitters as he pushes for a return to the big leagues.