The Baltimore Orioles are calling up top infield prospect Jordan Westburg, a source briefed on the decision confirmed to The Athletic on Sunday. ESPN was first to report the news. Here’s what you need to know:
- Westburg has 18 home runs and 54 RBIs in Triple A this season, slashing .295/.372/.567 in 67 games with the Norfolk Tides.
- Baltimore selected Westburg, 24, with the No. 30 pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
- The Athletic ranked Westburg as the No. 4 Orioles prospect entering this season, and the No. 73 prospect in all of baseball.
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
What Westburg brings to the Orioles
The Orioles have gotten almost no offense from their middle infield this year; their second basemen have hit .230/.285/.363 and their shortstops have slashed .218/.266/.368, with Adam Frazier and Jorge Mateo the main culprits, respectively.
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Westburg can hit and has real power, with 18 homers already in Triple A this year, more than any player currently on the O’s roster. He can play third and second well and is passable at short; he’ll probably cycle through all three spots, mostly playing second and third while Gunnar Henderson moves to short, a big offensive upgrade at a small defensive cost.
He’ll have some trouble adjusting to big-league breaking stuff, but the power upside is enough to make this the right call. I also think this probably pushes Joey Ortiz back to Triple A, as the shortstop hasn’t found any regular playing time in Baltimore and may end up squeezed out by other prospects. — Law
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(Photo: Brian Spurlock / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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