Another week of Minor League Baseball is in the books, and it was one defined by offensive firepower across the Orioles’ farm system.
Walk-offs, multi-hit performances and tape-measure home runs highlighted action during the final full week of April. Here’s a closer look at the latest O’s Prospects of the Week.
Triple-A Norfolk: Christian Encarnacion-Strand – 1B / Josh Walker – LHP
A name like Christian Encarnacion-Strand stands out on its own — but it is his production that is demanding attention.
Encarnacion-Strand capped the series against the Memphis Redbirds riding a 10-game on-base streak, having reached safely in 13 of 15 games this month and multiple times in 11 of those contests. Over five games in the series, he reached base 11 times, collecting nine hits, including a double, triple and home run, while driving in seven runs and scoring four.
Since joining the Orioles, the 26-year-old has slashed .351/.409/.622 over his first 10 games. For the season, he is hitting a combined .288/.345/.548 with 21 hits (three doubles, two triples, four home runs) across 19 games, along with 11 runs scored and a .347 BABIP.
While Norfolk’s pitching staff endured some inconsistency this past week, veteran left-hander Josh Walker provided stability.
The 31-year-old appeared in two games, tossing three innings while allowing just one hit and striking out four. He even earned the win in Norfolk’s 1–0 victory on April 24.
On the season, Walker has made eight appearances, posting a 2.38 ERA and 0.88 WHIP while recording both a win and a save. Opponents are hitting just .194/.262/.194 against him, and he has totaled 12 strikeouts over 11.1 innings. In April alone, Walker has allowed just one run across eight innings, striking out 11 with only one walk.
Double-A Chesapeake: Anderson De Los Santos – INF / Trace Bright – RHP
Offensively, the spotlight belongs to 22-year-old Anderson De Los Santos for his performance this past week.
The Santo Domingo native continues to make a strong impression in his early Double-A tenure, and this week was no different. In five games, De Los Santos collected seven hits, including three doubles and a home run, while driving in three runs.
Just as encouraging was his approach at the plate, he recorded only one more strikeout (four) than walks (three) during the week. With this performance, De Los Santos has elevated his OPS to an impressive 1.123 through 53 at-bats at the Double-A level, further cementing himself as a player to watch.
On the mound, several Baysox arms turned in strong performances, including encouraging outings from Cohen Achen and another solid stretch from Yaqui Rivera. However, the Pitcher of the Week honors go to right-hander Trace Bright.
Bright made two starts during the series, each lasting four innings, and was dominant across his combined eight frames. He allowed just one run on a single hit while striking out 15 batters.
It marked an impressive bounce-back showing for Bright, who had struggled in his previous two starts before a stint on the 7-day injured list. His ability to miss bats and limit damage was a key factor in Chesapeake’s success and earned him Eastern League Pitcher of the Week honors.
High-A Frederick: Nate George – OF / Yeiber Cartaya – RHP
The Orioles’ No. 1 prospect, Nate George, delivered a statement week.
George slashed an eye-popping .473/.600/.684 (1.284 OPS), leading the Keys with nine hits and 10 runs scored. His week included a double, a home run and six walks, while he went a perfect 6-for-6 on stolen base attempts. He also recorded his first career five-hit game and extended both his on-base and stolen base streaks to seven games.
On the season, George owns a .818 OPS with 19 hits, four extra-base hits, five RBIs and 10 stolen bases, along with nine walks. His early performance continues to solidify his standing as one of the system’s most dynamic young talents.
On the mound, Yeiber Cartaya was dominant out of the bullpen.
The 23-year-old made two appearances, combining for 8.1 scoreless innings while allowing just two hits. Despite issuing five walks, Cartaya struck out 14 and earned his first save of the season, earning him South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Week honors.
After a difficult 2025 campaign, Cartaya has made a significant turnaround. Through 16.2 innings this season, he owns a 1.08 ERA with 24 strikeouts against nine walks, emerging as a key piece in Frederick’s bullpen.
Low-A Delmarva: Braylon Whitaker – OF / Esteban Mejia – RHP
The Orioles may have found a hidden gem in Braylon Whitaker, their 2024 19th-round selection (579th overall).
The 20-year-old outfielder turned in another strong week, slashing .352/.450/.471 with a .921 OPS. He recorded six hits, including two doubles, drove in three runs and went a perfect 6-for-6 in stolen bases. Whitaker also finished the series riding a three-game hitting streak and a six-game on-base streak.
For the season, Whitaker is hitting .327 with 16 hits, four doubles and nine RBIs. After showing inconsistency in rookie ball, he has taken a clear step forward in Delmarva.
On the pitching side, Esteban Mejia delivered a much-needed rebound outing.
Following a start in which he issued eight walks, the sixth-ranked prospect responded with four shutout innings, allowing just one walk while striking out eight.
The overall numbers have not yet followed — Mejia holds a 7.15 ERA across 11.1 innings in four starts, with 13 walks and 17 strikeouts — but the raw stuff remains evident. It is far too early for concern, though his development will be worth monitoring closely in the coming weeks.
What are your thoughts on this week’s selections? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
Represent The Baltimore Battery and show off your fandom with our official merchandise! Reasonably-priced attire made just for you! Visit our official shop site by clicking here!
Like Zack’s content? Follow him on X – @Zackattack8211 and @OsMilbUpdates for all the latest news and updates on the O’s farm system!
THE BALTIMORE BATTERY 
Leave a comment