O's outfielder Kyle Stowers on his latest shot at the big leagues

Kyle Stowers played in the bigs with the Orioles for parts of the 2022 and 2023 seasons, batting .207/.267/.331/.598 with three career homers in 131 plate appearances.

He has spent parts of the last four years at Triple-A, posting a .773 OPS there in 22 games during the 2021 season. He had an .884 OPS during part of the 2022 season and an OPS of .875 in 68 games last year. In 2024 he has hit .240/.315/.541/.856 with 11 homers and 32 RBIs in 36 games.

That is a ton of Triple-A plate appearances – 948 to be exact – and now he’d like to show he can stay in the majors.

“I feel ready. I feel ready to help this team win,” Stowers said this afternoon after his latest call-up. “Whatever, you know, my role is, whatever I’m called to do. Just going to go out there and give my all and have a good time. Play with a lot of gratitude. Just happy to be here.”

He had some rough times last year. He missed a couple of months with a shoulder injury and late in the year was hit by a pitch that fractured his nose.

He went just 2-for-30 with the Orioles in 2023, and there is no guarantee of regular at-bats now. After all, the guy he replaced on the roster, outfielder Heston Kjerstad, went back to the farm to get regular playing time.

“I think I’ve done pretty well,” Stowers said of his season to date with the Tides. “Obviously, the power numbers have been there. You guys have heard me say this a million times: I always feel like there is more left on the bone. I was getting in a rhythm and starting to put together better at-bats more consistently. Feeling good.”

Stowers broke camp and was with the Orioles on Opening Day 2023, but May 14 was his last big league game for the season. Now, at about that same time on the calendar, he’s back.

“You guys will love this, pretty cool story. I was optioned on Mothers’ Day last year and then the string of events that happened after, injuries and whatnot," he said. "And then to get called up on Mother’s Day. A cool full-circle moment. Lot of work still to be done, but very excited to be here.

“I think anyone that has gotten a taste of the big leagues, this is where you want to be. So, when you are not here, you kind of want to get back.”

Stowers’ power has been evident all year with Norfolk. He had a three-homer game April 3 at Charlotte. Last year there he averaged a homer every 16.65 plate appearances. This season that is one every 15.00.

“I think I am getting better at hitting different types of pitches," he said. "You know, if you look at the homers this year, it’s some on fastballs, some on breaking balls, some on changeups. I think just getting good barrel on different pitches.”

Stowers was among a group of top prospects at Norfolk.

“I think we have all pushed each other to try and get better," he said. "To move the needle. Stay ready. You may get called at any point and you have to be ready when that time comes. We go about every day with that mentality.

“You know, taking the little things serious down there. Defense. Hitting the cutoff man, stuff like that. Trying to take pride on that. Situations where there might not be as big of magnifying glass on. Those are things that matter at this level. Try to handle the little things while also swinging the ball well and putting up good numbers."