Having the best farm system in the league is always fun to pay attention to. It gets to be more fun when players start to show out in the system and makes the future look as promising as ever.
There have been five total players that have dominated the minors to start the season so far for the Orioles. We selected one player per affiliate team, with one little exception, but when you’re having the season he’s having, you make exceptions.
Delmarva: Reese Sharp – RHP
Reese Sharp is the only relief pitcher on the list, and while it was difficult to put him over Creed Willems, Sharp has put on a season like no other thus far.
Sharp, 22, was drafted in the 20th round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Indiana. Sharp has been, well, sharp to start the 2023 season for Delmarva.
He carried a 1.86 ERA in five total games, 9.2 innings pitched, and tallied 17 strikeouts with two saves during the month. Sharp has also held batters to a .067 opponent batting average.
Honorable Mentions: Creed Willems, Yaqui Rivera, Samuel Basallo
Aberdeen: Jackson Holliday – INF
So, this is the exception mentioned earlier, as Holliday was called up from Delmarva to Aberdeen in the middle of April. But his start to the season is just way too good not to talk about.
The first overall pick in 2022 is slashed .353/.488/.632 with a 1.120 OPS in 18 total games, 68 at-bats, in April. He collected 24 total hits, 18 runs, six doubles, two triples, three home runs and 17 RBIs.
The 19-year-old also had 18 walks, struck out 16 times and stole four bases. The son of former big leaguer Matt Holliday has been the star the Orioles envisioned to start the season.
Honorable Mentions: Dylan Beavers, Keagan Gillies, Nick Richmond
Bowie: Justin Armbruester – RHP
I would argue that Justin Armbruester deserves to be the pitching prospect of the month for the Orioles with the start he has had. The former University of New Mexico product looks like an absolute ace on the mound so far, and if he continues, we might see him in Baltimore by September.
The 2021 12th-rounder had a 1-1 record with a 1.40 ERA in 19.1 innings pitched on the month. While he does have a low strikeout count with 16 total, Armbruester had only given up 14 hits and three earned runs in April. He also held opponents to a .206 opponent batting average, with a 1.14 WHIP.
Honorable Mentions: Coby Mayo, Heston Kjerstad, Jensen Elliott
Norfolk: Jordan Westburg – INF
Can this dude get out of Norfolk and get called up already? He is making Triple-A look like he is back at Mississippi State, and they are playing some D2 school.
The former 2020 draft pick slashed .325/.385/.542 with a .927 OPS in 20 total games for the month, collecting 27 total hits, 17 runs, three doubles, five home runs and 23 RBIs. He also tallied four stolen bases and seven walks.
Westburg has been a dominant hitter, and with the recent big league call-up given to Joey Ortiz, Westburg’s time could be coming soon.
Honorable Mentions: Colton Cowser, Josh Lester, Phoenix Sanders
Best Overall Prospect: CĂ©sar Prieto – INF
So, there’s being a top prospect, and then there’s CĂ©sar Prieto to open up the 2023 season.
The 23-year-old has been an unstoppable force for Double-A Bowie, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ended the month of May in Triple-A Norfolk.
Prieto has been a contact machine with his .355 batting average in 76 total at-bats last month. The Cuban native also had a .849 OPS, 27 total hits, nine runs, four doubles, one home run and seven RBIs. He also walked and struck out five times.
Which O’s prospect stood out to you for the month of April? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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