Infielder Jordan Westburg is among several Orioles prospects excelling at Triple-A Norfolk and poised to make their big league debut this season.
However, Orioles GM Mike Elias said the team is being patient with these young players and making sure when they are promoted to the big league club, they have staying power.
It’s part of a new strategy for the franchise that is preaching how to play the game properly, a modern “Oriole Way” from complex league ball to the major leagues.
“We’re still wanting to develop these guys as everyday players and make sure they have everyday playing time or a lot of playing time, but we’re bringing them up in spots to help out off the bench or in short spurts,” Elias said before the Orioles’ May 9 game against Tampa Bay. “I think it requires a little bit more of a balancing act between developing their careers and then maybe getting them some part-time play up here, the taste of the major leagues, a little more sporadic playing time in the major leagues, but they’re brought up to help our team win in spots.
“I think that part is relatively new for us kind of in the last calendar year, where that balance is more to the forefront. I’m very happy that that’s the situation because it means we’re winning.”
Westburg is slashing .325/.384/.596 with nine home runs and 32 RBIs in 125 plate appearances for Norfolk.
With Ramón Urías being placed on the injured list with a left hamstring strain, the Orioles decided to recall Terrin Vavra to add another left-handed infield bat. However, Elias doesn’t expect this move to be a long-term solution because Vavra does need more at-bats at Triple-A.
“We’ve got Terrin here and we’ll just kind of see where this all goes,” Elias said. “We’re fortunate right now where we have a lot of guys performing very well in Triple-A, both on and off the 40-man roster, and we’re actively discussing all of those guys who are knocking on the door.”
Elias, however, has not ruled out Westburg making his MLB debut this season. It would be another stride for the franchise’s ongoing success in developing minor league talent for the major leagues.
“He’s been a great performer in Triple-A and an active topic of conversation, dating back even into last year,” Elias said of Westburg. “… Certainly, he’s somebody we’re still monitoring and discussing and paying very close attention to on a nightly basis. And I think right now, with the opponents we’ve got here coming up, we’re going with this group and we’re keeping an eye on all those guys, him included.”
The Orioles snapped a season-high three-game losing streak with a 4-2 victory against the first-place Rays on May 9. The Orioles improved to 23-13 on the season and have the talent and depth to hover near the top of the AL East standing for much of the year,
The key is getting contributions from the entire roster.
The potential makes Elias proud.
“I think this is a season and a 40-man roster where every single person on that 40-man roster is going to come into play for us throughout the year,” Elias said.
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Baltimore Orioles