Jud Fabian’s big start with Triple-A Norfolk has strengthened his chance at earning a shot with the Baltimore Orioles.
Fabian is hitting .215/.368/.393 with six home runs so far for the Tides. He hit a total of 68 home runs in 382 games in the Orioles organization from 2022-2025. He had his strongest season in 2023, hitting .223/.349/.440 with 24 home runs, 74 RBIs across 120 games. However, his batting average dipped down to .186 by 2025.
The 25-year-old outfielder credited his success this year to Norfolk hitting coach Rick Strickland, who has helped him refine his approach at the plate. He said the emphasis is on swinging only at pitches he can handle, which hopefully can improve his batting average.
“We’ve kind of put our heads together, put a good plan of the pitches I want to swing at and the pitches that I don’t want to swing at and really sticking to the plan,” Fabian said on Glenn Clark Radio April 29. “… I think we put together a good plan of that zone that I want to swing in and really sticking to it.”
His disciplined approach has helped him improve his batting average and on-base percentage.
“I’ve been getting myself in good counts early, and I’ve been able to drive the pitchers’ mistakes,” Fabian said.
Fabian’s improved production comes when the Orioles are searching for a long-term, stable center field solution at the major league level. The current center field options in Baltimore are Leody Taveras, who has taken over for the most part, as well as Blaze Alexander, Dylan Beavers and Colton Cowser.
But Fabian, picked 67th overall by Baltimore in the 2022 MLB Draft, said he’s not getting ahead of himself.
“You have to take every day, one day at a time, and be where your feet are,” he said.
When asked about reaching the major leagues and his chances of getting to Baltimore, Fabian insinuated that he doesn’t want to get anyone’s hopes up.
“It’s going to happen when it’s going to happen. If it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen,” he said.
Fabian’s defense has also stood out in Virginia this season. He made a diving catch against the Memphis Redbirds on April 25 in center field that drew attention online. He said it was just instinct.
“In my mind, I know when I can lay out and catch it or get close to it,” Fabian said. “So it’s all about trusting myself, having confidence in myself to go get it.”
But even with a strong start and growing attention about his future, Fabian said he is just focused on consistency and trusting the work he has put in throughout his development with the Orioles organization.
“I think baseball is just a really humbling game,” he said. “If you stay humble, it will help you.”
For more from Fabian, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Courtesy of the Norfolk Tides/Sydney Smith