O's promote Henderson and Westburg to Triple-A, plus new rosters

They are moving on up. The Orioles today promoted infielders Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg from Double-A Bowie to Triple-A Norfolk. Both will now get tested at the minor leagues’ highest level, one step below the big leagues in Baltimore.

They are expected to be with the Tides (26-28) for the opener of their series Tuesday night at Nashville.  

Henderson, 20, is having a huge year and is now ranked No. 37 by Baseball America in an updated top 100 prospects list. MLBPipeline.com has him at No. 46.

In 47 games with Bowie he batted .312/.452/.573/.1.025 with 11 doubles, three triples, eight homers, 35 RBIs and 12 steals in 14 attempts, and scored 41 runs. He has made remarkable improvement in plate discipline and has walked more than he has struck out, 41 to 38.

The Orioles' second-round pick in 2019 out of an Alabama high school, Henderson will turn 21 on June 29.

Westburg, the No. 30 overall pick in 2020 out of Mississippi State, batted .247/.344/.473/.817 in 47 Bowie games and got 14 doubles, nine homers, 32 runs and 32 RBIs.

Henderson will become the fourth top 100 prospect to play for Norfolk this year, joining Adley Rutschman, Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall.

The Tides infield is crowded, with 10 players listed on their roster at infielders as of today with these additions. 

Also today, the low Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds announced that right-handed pitchers Daniel Federman and Daniel Lloyd are moving up to high Single-A Aberdeen. The Shorebirds will add two right-handers from the Orioles Florida Complex League roster, getting Edgar Portes and Nick Richmond.

Rosters are out: Three Orioles short-season minor league teams begin play today in both the Rookie-level Florida Complex League and in the Dominican Summer League. These leagues give mostly younger players with little pro experience the opportunity to gain that experience, and they later advance to play full-season ball for the affiliates at low Single-A Delmarva and above.

Christian Frias is the manager of the O’s FCL entry, while Elbis Morel and Chris Madera manage the DSL teams for the Orioles. The seasons for these teams run through Aug. 23.

DSL Orange

Pitchers: Eddy Alberto, Bryan Bautista, Anthony Bello, Erick Caines, Noelin Cuevas, Adrian Delgado, Harif Frias, Duany Gomez, Jose Leandro, Oscar Moreta, Elias Moscoso, Jesus Palacios, Andres Para, Christopher Ramirez, Eris Rodriguez, Grabiel Salazar, Brayner Sanchez, Henry Tejada, Eduardo Torres.

Catchers: Lians Beato, Aneudis Mordan, Andres Nolaya.

Infielders: Cesar Aguasvivas, Edwin Amparo, Edrei Campos, Victor Celedonio, Jose Cosma, Elis Cuevas, Fernando Peguero, Anyelo Reyes.

Outfielders: Wilmer Feliciano, Jean Mata, Angel Pena, Yirber Ruiz, Jonaiker Sandoval, Tomas Sosa.

DSL Black

Pitchers: Ezequiel Bonilla, Darwin Caballero, Yeiber Cartaya, Guachi Cedano, Francisco Crispin, Luis De Leon, Cesar Espinal, Pedro Figueroa, Joldanny Genao, Jarlin Guerrero, Ronal Herrera, Miguel Mesa, Luis Osorio, Juan Pena, Jose Ramirez, Wilton Rondon, Wellington Santana, Jairo Vasquez.

Catchers: Kenny Baez, Yasmil Bucce, Jose Nogera.

Infielders: Frailyn Abreu, Leandro Arias, Cristian Benavides, Aron Estrada, Adriam Santos, Alfredo Velasquez.

Outfielders: Luis De La Cruz, Hector Jimenez, Juan Martinez, Ronnie Martinez, Raylin Ramos, Braylin Tavera, Carlos Vicioso.

Florida Complex League Orioles

Pitchers: Darlin Alcantara, Cesar Alvarez, Harol Arias, Randy Beriguete, Deivy Cruz, Pablo Falconett, Elchero Francisca, Orlando Fulgencio, Dylan Heid, Omar Hernandez, Adrion Lacle, Andry Mercedes, Anthony Morillo, Miguel Padilla, Oscar Pierret, Junior Pina, Yonatan Pineda, Elvis Polanco, Raul Rangel, Yaqui Rivera, Luis Sanchez, Issac Solano, Jordany Vasquez.

Catchers: Samuel Basallo, Wilkin Grullon, Julio Herrera, Ricardo Rivera, Carlos Rodriguez.

Infielders: Frederick Bencosme, Eruviel Castillo, Rolphy Cruz, Anderson De Los Santos, Victor Gonzalez, Maikol Hernandez, Anthony Servideo, Dax Stubbs, Angel Tejada.

Outfielders: Stiven Acevedo, Jesus Alvarado, Jose Berroa, Teudis Cortorreal, Luis Gonzalez, Kevin Guerrero, Junior Lara.

The DSL rosters include the three players the Orioles have signed to their highest bonuses ever in the amateur international market. Tavera signed for $1.7 million this January. Basallo signed for $1.3 million and Maikol Hernandez signed for $1.2 million, both in January 2021.

The DSL rosters also include several players that we ranked among the Orioles' top 10 international prospects over the winter. In that MASNSports.com ranking posted then, Hernandez was ranked as the club’s top international prospect, followed by Basallo, De Los Santos, Tavera, Cesar Prieto, Arias, Mishael Deson, Rangel, Moises Chace and Bencosme.  

The Orioles will field just one team this year in the FCL.