Orioles catching prospect Silas Ardoin was drafted by Baltimore in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft, and he has since become the second person in his family to play in the Orioles organization.
Fourteen years before Silas Ardoin was drafted out of the University of Texas, Danny Ardoin appeared in five games during the 2006 season as a catcher. Outside of a couple of pieces of clothing, Silas doesn’t have much to remember much of his father’s time with the Orioles.
“It was a very short stint that he was with the Baltimore Orioles,” Silas said on Glenn Clark Radio Aug. 10. “I remember when I was young he had a couple of T-shirts, but that was about it.”
Danny appeared in 165 games across five major league seasons, batting .206 in his career with 87 hits and eight home runs. Though Danny caught in the major leagues, Silas played middle infield growing up. It wasn’t until he got to high school that he started catching. It was part of Danny’s plan, which Silas said he didn’t know about until years later.
“Growing up, I was actually a middle infielder my entire life until I got to high school,” Silas said. “My dad always said that was part of his plan to make me a middle infielder, and then whenever I got older to become a catcher. I didn’t know that until he stuck me back there in high school summer ball or something like that. It just came natural to me, and it’s something that I fell in love with.”
Ardoin said the best advice he’s received from his dad is to stay even-keeled and never get too high or too low regardless of the situation. The mindset has helped him stay goal-oriented as a catcher in the farm system of an organization that already has Adley Rutschman.
“I think everybody’s goal in professional baseball is to be a big leaguer,” Ardoin said. “So, that’s not something I’m very concerned in as far as what’s the plan for me. My goal is just to continue to develop each and every day and make myself a big leaguer, and whatever happens after that happens. But I feel very fortunate to have someone like Adley in the organization — somebody that is getting some experience, obviously, and performing at a high level. That’s somebody that I can learn a lot from.”
Like Rutschman (who ranks in the top 10 in walks in MLB this season), Ardoin is disciplined at the plate. The 6-foot, 215-pound catcher batted .238/.366/.361 between High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie this year. He drew 61 walks in 94 games between the two levels.
“I think growing up, I’ve always had a pretty good eye. Walks have always been a big part of my game, being able to see the ball well,” Ardoin said. “Part of that comes from being a catcher. You’re a little bit stingy on the edges and stuff. Luckily for me a lot of times it goes my way.”
Ardoin saw his offensive and defensive play improve throughout the season.
“Starting off this season and even last season, it was a little bit of an adjustment for me. I’m just continuing to grow on the offensive side a lot, being more aggressive at the plate and driving the ball more,” Ardoin said. “That’s something I really honed in on each and every day. Just putting the bat on the ball more and squaring it up, that’s something I’ve gotten a lot better at. On the catching side, just continuing to develop as a catcher. I take a lot of pride in my work, and that’s something I want to continue to develop.”
For more from Ardoin, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: SKadalena Messiano