THE BALTIMORE BATTERY

The Aberdeen IronBirds are stuck in an in-between cycle. That is where players are getting promoted, and new players are arriving.

With the change happening, this creates a new atmosphere and culture where players grow with each other and gel. Unfortunately, the IronBirds are seeing the reflection in the games as the team is finding its identity once again.

This past week, the IronBirds visited the Brooklyn Cyclones. The series saw three shutouts (two pitched by the Cyclones, one by the IronBirds) as Brooklyn would take the series four games to two.

Aberdeen struggled to score runs, 17 total in the six games, while the pitching was up and down. Aberdeen falls to 51-54 on the season. With four series and 24 games left, the IronBirds will need to catch fire quickly if they want to see the postseason for the second straight year.

Let’s see who stood out this week for Aberdeen.

Samuel Basallo – C (O’s No. 5/ MLB No. 50)

Another strong find by GM Mike Elias, Basallo is climbing the prospect rankings and pushing his way through the Orioles’ system. It was another strong series for the young catcher, as Basallo would hit .350 with a 1.009 OPS.

In Saturday’s IronBirds’ 8-3 victory, it was Basallo who led the way. Going 2-for-4, including a home run and four RBIs, Basallo would drive in half of Aberdeen’s runs.

For the season, Basallo is now slashing .289/.375/.483 with 13 home runs and 65 RBIs across 94 games. He has scored 55 runs while walking 47 times and stealing eight bases.

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Kyle Virbitsky – RHP

What’s becoming a common theme, Kyle Virbitsky, once again, was a stand-out in a tough series for Aberdeen. Another under the radar pick up by GM Mike Elias, Virbitsky is quickly establishing himself as a strong pitcher with a big upside.

In Aberdeen’s 4-0 victory on August 10, Virbitsky showed why he was packaged in a trade with current O’s left-hander, Cole Irvin. He would pitch five innings of three-hit, scoreless ball while striking out five and walking one.

Virbitsky improves to 4-1 across 20 games this season. He has pitched 78.1 innings, accumulating 80 strikes, a 4.25 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. The young righty has seven appearances of four plus innings with no runs allowed on the season.

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Dylan Heid – RHP

Another young righty made a strong impression this week, as Dylan Heid earns a spot in our players of the week.

Heid entered Saturday’s 8-3 IronBirds’ victory in the fifth inning and would throw three innings, allowing just one hit and no runs while striking out five and picking up the win.

Heid improves to 3-2 on the season across 24 games. He has totaled 32.1 innings pitched, striking out 55 batters and allowing 17 walks. Opponents are batting .207 against the righty, as he has totaled a 1.30 WHIP.

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Aberdeen is now 19-22 in the second half and sits 6.5 games back of first place. They will welcome the Wilmington Blue Rocks to town on Tuesday.

With the Blue Rocks 5.5 games behind the IronBirds and facing their own struggles, the Birds have a chance to right the ship and take flight once again.