Double-A Chesapeake has multiple pitchers Orioles fans should be keeping their eye on, according to play-by-play announcer Andre Magaro.
“We’ve had about half a season to digest it. I think it’s been an entertaining watch,” Magaro told the Friday Baseball Show June 19.
Here are some of the pitchers Magaro chatted about.
Luis De Léon
De Léon had a tough first month with the Baysox this year. In April, the 6-foot-3, 168-pound left-hander had a 6.52 ERA and 1-2 record in five starts, recording 22 strikeouts while allowing 16 runs.
The 23-year-old now has posted a total of 81 strikeouts in his 16 appearances and 62.0 innings pitched.
“I think he really bounced back nicely in the month of May,” Marago said. “The strikeout numbers are continuing to go back up and he’s continuing to piece together really good outings.”
In his latest appearance, De Léon pitched 5.2 scoreless innings against Binghamton July 5, striking out nine and allowing just one hit, to lower his ERA to 5.37.
“When things don’t go your way, maybe you execute a pitch really well and the hitter just beats you, being able to bounce back and keep that firm mentality batter to batter and not let that snowball,” Marago said. “It’s been a really great thing to see from him.”
Joseph Dzierwa
Dzierwa is in his first minor league season. The 22-year-old was promoted from High-A Frederick in late May. The 6-foot-8, 200-pound left-hander had a 5-1 record in eight starts with the Keys, holding a 2.21 ERA with 50 strikeouts.
“[He’s] somebody that just goes out and consistently attacks. When stuff isn’t going his way — maybe he’s getting hit, gives up a couple of baserunners — he doesn’t shy away from throwing his best stuff at all,” Marago said.
Since joining the Baysox, Dzierwa has recorded another 53 strikeouts in 40.1 innings pitched, holding a 2.45 ERA.
“Those strikeout numbers haven’t gone anywhere since he’s been up here at Double-A, so getting a lot of swing and miss. When he is getting hit, he’s not letting it stockpile,” Marago added.
Sebastian Gongora
Gongora holds a 7-3 record in 15 starts with the Baysox, posting 79 strikeouts with a 3.18 ERA.
The 6-foot-5, 240-pound left-hander was chosen in the 11th round of the 2024 MLB Draft. The 24-year-old was drafted out of the University of Louisville.
Gongora made 15 starts in his lone season at Louisville in 2024, finishing with a 5-4 record and 6.14 ERA. He led the team in strikeouts (89) in 77.2 innings pitched. He split his first full pro season between Low-A Delmarva and High-A Frederick, posting a 5.00 ERA in 68.1 innings.
“He has nearly cut his ERA in half from what it was in his first full pro season last year between Single-A and High-A,” Marago added. “He’s the guy that will be in the zone constantly, doesn’t issue a whole lot of free passes and can bounce back from some adversity.”
For more from Magaro, watch the full interview here:
See Also: Orioles Prospect Joseph Dzierwa On How Pitching Is Similar To Golfing
Photo Credit: Joe Noyes/Chesapeake Baysox