The Baltimore Orioles’ minor league affiliates wrapped up their respective first halves this week, and there was plenty to celebrate.
From the Frederick Keys capturing the South Atlantic League Northern Division First-Half Championship to several players continuing strong campaigns as they work toward Baltimore, there was no shortage of standout performances.
Let’s take a look at this week’s top prospect performers.
Triple-A Norfolk: José Barrero – INF / Nick Raquet – LHP
José Barrero absolutely crushed the ball this past week, slashing .348/.444/1.087 for a 1.531 OPS. He collected eight hits, two doubles, a team-high five home runs and 10 RBIs, while also drawing four walks and stealing two bases in two attempts.
Barrero’s season has been somewhat up and down, but it has still been a productive one for Norfolk, as he leads the Tides with 17 home runs and owns an .858 OPS.
The veteran infielder is hitting .231 with 51 hits and 37 RBIs, and if he continues producing at this pace, a September call-up could be in the cards.
On the pitching side, Nick Raquet continued to dominate out of the bullpen.
Across two appearances, Raquet tossed three innings, allowing one hit and one earned run while walking two and striking out six. He held opponents to a .100 batting average and picked up a win.
Raquet has been a stabilizing force in the Tides bullpen this season. In 19 appearances, he owns a 2-0 record and a 3.65 ERA. Across 24.2 innings, he has allowed 10 earned runs while walking just eight batters and striking out 27.
Double-A Chesapeake: Douglas Hodo III – OF / Joseph Dzierwa – LHP
Back at Prince George’s Stadium for the first time since his stint on the injured list, Douglas Hodo III put on a show.
The 25-year-old outfielder slashed .333/.444/.800 with a team-best 1.244 OPS and recorded five hits, including a double and two home runs, while driving in two runs. He also walked three times and stole a base.
Hodo III has looked like a completely different hitter this season. Although he has appeared in just 22 games, he has already collected 28 hits, six doubles and seven home runs — just three shy of his career-high. He is currently slashing .341/.413/.720 with a 1.133 OPS.
On the mound, Joseph Dzierwa once again showed why he has become one of the Orioles’ most exciting pitching prospects.
The 22-year-old left-hander tossed six innings, allowing just two hits and one earned run while walking one and striking out eight.
Dzierwa has been one of the most dominant pitchers in Baltimore’s farm system this season. Through 14 starts, he owns a 2.33 ERA while holding opponents to a .178 batting average. In his first professional season, The Baltimore Battery’s No. 7 prospect has walked just 16 batters in 73.1 innings while striking out 91.
High-A Frederick: RJ Austin – UTIL / Kiefer Lord – RHP
RJ Austin played a major role in helping the Frederick Keys clinch the South Atlantic League Northern Division First-Half Championship.
Over six games, Austin slashed .318/.444/.591 with a 1.035 OPS. He led the team with seven hits, blasted two home runs, drove in three runs and drew four walks. Austin also went a perfect 4-for-4 in stolen base attempts and scored 10 runs.
The former Vanderbilt standout and third-round pick continues to put together a strong season. Austin owns an .836 OPS with 34 hits, three doubles, five home runs and 17 RBIs. He has also stolen 17 bases in 19 attempts.
For the pitching side, Kiefer Lord turned in one of his best starts of the season. The 24-year-old right-hander tossed 6.2 innings, allowing just one earned run while walking none and striking out nine.
Now, Lord has faced some challenges this season after missing much of 2025 due to injury. He currently owns a 5.29 ERA across 13 starts.
In 49.1 innings, Lord has allowed 29 earned runs while walking 28 and striking out 81. The hope is that this outing serves as a turning point, as he looks to finish the season strong.
Low-A Delmarva: Joshua Liranzo – INF / Brendan Parks – LHP
Joshua Liranzo continued his recent surge at the plate, driving in runs at an impressive rate.
Although he appeared in only four games, Liranzo collected five hits, including a triple, and drove in a team-high nine RBIs. He also posted a .357/.444/.500 slash line with a .944 OPS.
While Liranzo is currently enduring the toughest offensive season of his career, there are still encouraging signs. He is slashing .185/.324/.255 with a .579 OPS, but he has already set new career highs with 27 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. With roughly half the season remaining, there is still plenty of time for a strong second-half turnaround.
On the pitching side, Brendan Parks continued to establish himself as a reliable bullpen arm for Delmarva.
Across two appearances, Parks threw four scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. He surrendered two unearned runs, walked three and struck out eight while holding opponents to a .067 batting average.
The undrafted free agent signed with Baltimore in April and has impressed early in his professional career. In 10 appearances with Delmarva, the 23-year-old owns a 4.35 ERA across 20.2 innings. He has allowed 10 earned runs, walked 17 batters and struck out 33 while holding opponents to a .200 batting average.
What are your thoughts on this week’s prospect standouts? 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!
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