The Orioles have been struggling lately, losing six of their last seven games, going 16-18 over the past month-plus, and suddenly being more frustrating than exciting to watch on a nightly basis. Their offense, especially, has grown stagnant.
Since June 1, the Orioles are 19th in MLB with a wRC+ of 94.
As pleasantly surprising as some of the starting pitching has been, they don't have the reliable rotation or middle relief to overcome mediocre offense.
— Eutaw Street Report (@EutawStReport) July 4, 2023
During the aforementioned 1-6 stretch, they’ve scored more than four runs in a game just once (an 11-7 loss to the Reds).
In the latest attempt to provide a spark, on the heels of Jordan Westburg‘s promotion last week, MASN’s Roch Kubatko reports that the Birds are calling up another top prospect, outfielder Colton Cowser.
Source: Cowser joining Orioles in New York https://t.co/OQt4Mn3Eml #orioles
— Roch Kubatko (@masnRoch) July 5, 2023
Cowser is currently ranked #2 on the O’s prospect list on MLB Pipeline, below Jackson Holliday and a slot above Westburg. He was drafted fifth overall in the 2021 draft. Here’s his prospect profile, from the same link:
Scouting grades:Â Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Arm: 55 | Field: 50 | Overall: 55
Cowser was the top-ranked college hitter in the 2021 Draft class, coming in at No. 10 overall, and the Orioles took him No. 5 overall that summer to make him the second first-round pick in Sam Houston State history. He signed for a below-slot $4.9 million and made a very strong first impression with a .982 OPS in his professional debut. He kept it going in his first full season, making his way from High-A to Double-A, where he absolutely raked to earn one more move up to finish the year in Triple-A.
A 6-foot-3 left-handed hitter, Cowser combines an outstanding swing, bat speed and good plate discipline to make him a dangerous all-around hitter. He was known more as a hit-over-power type, but the pop is very real and showed up in his first full season. He understands the strike zone, leading to 94 walks in 2022, but there was also more swing-and-miss to his game than anticipated. He struggled with softer stuff at the upper levels, with a 44 percent miss rate on breaking stuff, though that didn’t keep him from driving the ball to all fields.
While he’s not a burner, Cowser uses his tick-above-average speed well on both sides of the ball. He’s shown he can play solid center field with good instincts, but long term he might be better suited in a corner, where he could be a very good defender with an above-average arm. He’s on the fast track now and should impact Baltimore’s lineup sooner rather than later.
This season for AAA Norfolk, Cowser has absolutely mashed, to the tune of a .330/.459/.537 line (.996 OPS), with 10 2B, 10 HR, a triple, and seven stolen bases in eight attempts.
The Orioles have yet to announce a corresponding move, either on the 26- or 40-man rosters. Ryan McKenna seems the most likely candidate to be optioned, with Aaron Hicks, who’s struggled of late (despite homering yesterday) moving to the fourth outfielder role. As we’ve seen with Westburg, Mike Elias & Co. aren’t calling up these top prospects to sit the pine. If they’re here, they’re playing.
