Basketball

Orioles promote Adley Rutschman, DL Hall to Triple-A Norfolk

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The Baltimore Orioles promoted two of its top prospects to Triple-A Norfolk from Double-A Bowie catcher Adley Rutschman and left-hander DL Hall on Thursday.

According to multiple reports, Rutschman in particular was on his way to make a Major League debut with the Orioles, that is until he received a right triceps strain in spring training that put him on the sideline. Hall, on the other also has been struggling with a series of injuries throughout his professional career.

Rutschman, Hall join Triple-A Norfolk

Both Rutschman and Hall are Baltimore’s top prospects. The former made a quick tab for swift ascension to the big league after the Orioles picked him first overall in the 2019 MLB Draft, which eventually led him to shortly part ways with his collegiate career in 2019 with the Oregon State Beavers.

The 2019 Golden Spike Award hit major news headlines after Baltimore signed him for $8.1 million, the highest signing bonus of the time and soon enough he debuted professionally with the Gulf Coast League Orioles.

After only five games, he was promoted to the Aberdeen IronBirds and again made his foray to the Class-A South Atlantic League with the Delmarva Shorebirds. Having over three clubs, the 24-year-old played more than 37 games, had 254/.351/.423, and made four home runs in addition to 26 RBIs.

In June 2021, he joined Double-A level Bowie Baysox and was slated for another promotion to Triple-A Norfolk Tides in August that year. He made a total of 18 home runs in 80 games with Bowie and 5 home runs alongside 43 games in Norfolk.

He was closer to making it into the Major League this year, but unfortunately, he was forced to miss the start of the season following his triceps muscle strain and began a rehab assignment with Aberdeen in late April. The Portland-born now will be joining Triple-A Norfolk this year alongside Hall.

Hall’s history with Baltimore was slightly different than Rutschman’s. The left-handed pitcher never pitched above Double-A in his career in addition to just returning from an elbow injury last season. Playing for IronBirds in April, he threw four scoreless innings and strike out six.

Triple-A Norfolk’s response

Norfolk manager Buck Britton via The Baltimore Sun confirmed Rutschman will not be employed every day in fear of burning out the professional catcher.

“You don’t want to burn this guy out down here,” Britton said. “He’s going to play some important innings up in the big leagues here soon. We’ve gotta make sure we keep him healthy, keep him on the field, but also allow him to get the work in behind the plate.”

Patiently awaiting the duo’s arrival in Nashville this Friday against the Sounds, Britton has great hope for the new team addition as he had coached them previously in their early career. The most recent one was in Double-A Bowie.

“The stuff jumps off the charts. You’ve got a lefty that throws 100 mph. I was fortunate enough to see DL in 2017 or so in Delmarva, so I’ve gotten to see him grow in his process heading toward the big leagues. Just really proud of what he’s been able to do.

“This is a guy now that’s filling up the strike zone with electric stuff, and I’m looking forward to see him being challenged with more polished hitters. But the stuff is elite,” Britton added.

The young manager also shared his reasons why he loves managing the Tides.

“The best part of it is the human beings they are, man. I just really enjoy being around both of them,” Britton continued.

“So as much as they are talented, they’re great people to have around. We get along really well. They bring some energy to the clubhouse. I think it’s exciting on a lot of fronts. Knowing what I’m going to get out of both of those guys is nice, too.”

Adley Rutschman

Adley Stan Rutschman is an American professional baseball catcher in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He played college baseball for the Oregon State Beavers. (wikipedia)

Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball as a member club of the American League East division. (wikipedia)

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