The Norfolk Tides are set to add to their roster with two new-comers, as Orioles top prospects D.L Hall and Adley Rutschman are set to join the Triple-A affiliate this Friday, giving the Tides three top-100 prospects.
Rutschman, the O’s No. 1 prospect, was set to be the starting catcher for the Orioles this season, until a triceps strain pushed his debut back.
After weeks of rest, the No. 2 prospect in all of baseball began his rehab. Based on projections, middle to the end of May is when we should see Rutschman make his Oriole debut.
Adley has started to make his presence felt, as the young switch hitter has now played in seven games across High-A and Double-A ball. He has amassed a .440 average, while picking up a strong .517 OBP.
In 25 at-bats, Rutschman has collected 11 hits, five of them going for extra bases. He has yet to hit a home run but has scored seven runs and knocked in two batting from the number two spot in the lineup in all of his appearances.
The multi-talented catcher will be joined by fellow teammate, O’s No. 5 prospect D.L. Hall, who is coming back from an arm injury he sustained last year.
Hall appeared in big league spring training and touched the high 90’s with his fastball. Due to him being shut down last season, the Orioles would send Hall to extended spring training to build up stamina and get used to pitching situations again.
Though Hall has appeared in two games, one with Aberdeen and one with Bowie, his velocity seems to be back, as proof by his 12 strikeouts in 7.2 innings of work. He’s also reached 99 mph on his fastball multiple times in both outings.
Hall is 0-1 in two starts with a 2.35 ERA. His WHIP is 0.78, and opponents are batting just .185 against the young, flamethrowing left-hander.
The Norfolk Tides are ready to welcome both Hall and Rutschman, as they prepare to make their leap and debut for the Orioles sometime this season. The excitement is high, as Grayson Rodriguez, Hall and Rutschman are all reunited in the same clubhouse.
The tide is rising in Norfolk. And before you know it, it will be crashing down on the shores of Charm City in 2022.
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