Today I got to the Twin Lakes facility late as the schedule switched at the last minute. I was able to see some intrasquad action as the Braves cancelled today’s road game this morning, so the O’s faced off against themselves.
I got to meet a few more players’ parents/families and they were very nice as usual. Thanks for saying hi! (anyone who reads these/follows me/likes the O’s is welcome to at anytime by the way). Outfield prospect John Rhodes liked the blue checkerboard UK shorts. But there was action to watch so I focused on A vs Low A quickly.
What I missed was a rally that included hits by infield prospect Darell Hernaiz and a ground rule double by 3B prospect Coby Mayo. Carter Baumler got the start for Delmarva. Arriving late I was updated that the score was 4-3 (I didn’t find out who started for Aberdeen.)
Orioles C prospect Connor Pavolony hit one that felt like a homer but it stayed in for a long double. He’s taking his BP right to the field?? pic.twitter.com/OODvGu8rJg
— Eric_Birdland (@Eric_Birdland) March 16, 2022
I got to see developing K specialist Noah Denoyer having his way with Delmarva’s hitters. One AB w/IF prospect Noelberth Romero showed off the full repertoire. He’s really going to have a good year with the K rate. Also it appears that former GCL RHP Yeankarlos Lleras has added some spin to his fastball profile. It was moving with much more run so I was able to see him end ABs with it. Lleras had several out of the zone so there’s time to hammer out the location details, but more spin and less flat on the heater is huge for him. If he hits spots, watch out.
I also was able to catch some of Rickey Ramirez changing speeds and fielding his position well. Another RHP Kelvin LaRoche brought his K stuff to the hill and looked good. There was a submariner too, Hoffman, and I’ll have do some research on him.
Some hitters of the ball were Hernaiz who has been stinging the ball for weeks now, 2B Roberto Martinez, catcher Brayan Hernandez and IF Yorkislandy Alvarez. All of these guys, I have seen begin their development in the rookie leagues so there was a lot of pride to be seeing them doing things at higher levels. Another player who drove the ball well and isn’t getting discussed enough is catching prospect Connor Pavolony. This guy sends lasers out of the cage and I’ll hear an argument right now for him being the best throwing/framing backstop in the system. I remember his debut throwing out guys with a lightning fast pop up in the FCL so I’ll be paying close attention to how he brings those clean defensive fundamentals to a higher level. You should too.
On the other field I saw guys who have become young vets like corners JC Escarra, Toby Welk and OF Mason Janvrin. In that game I saw Gunnar Henderson have an AB, which ended in a groundout. It’s hard for me to turn away when I see that #2 jersey (that I will publicly say that I want) in the left handed batter’s box. Just a couple years ago Gunnar was the young one in camp and today he’s in the AA vs AAA game looking like he belongs. I can’t wait until we can say the same about Creed, Coby, Kjerstad, Moises, Elio and the other guys who have kept the minors thriving.
Tomorrow the Pirates are on the schedule so I’ll be there for the games vs another opponent!
