Orioles MiLB Weekly Recap: April 1-6
- Grant DeVivo
- Apr 9
- 7 min read
Checking in on how each Baltimore Orioles affiliate performed last week
*Cover Photo Credit: Skylar Prieto, Norfolk Tides
Minor League Baseball is back! All four Orioles affiliates have begun the 2025 season with the start of their regular season schedules. Here is a look at how each affiliate performed last week. The Tides had a six-game series while the other three affiliates began their season on Friday with a three-game weekend opening series.
AAA Norfolk Tides
The Tides went on their first road trip of the season, paying a visit to the Charlotte Knights (White Sox AAA) and splitting the six-game set three a piece.
Of course, the first two games gained good attention as All-Star shortstop Gunnar Henderson wrapped up his rehab assignment for the Orioles. His monstrous solo home run on Tuesday put Minor League fans in a frenzy and left them eager for his return to the show. He has since then returned to the Orioles' lineup.
The biggest improvement that the Tides made last week came on defense. The gloves were a bit sloppy during Opening Weekend as they committed ten errors in three games. In this series at Charlotte, they went errorless in all six games. That is a mighty improvement from the previous week, and the Tides will look to continue the upwards trojectory in defense and limit the giveaway runs.
The offense was led by power after power thanks to seven home runs 12 extra base hits. Jud Fabian had three of those home runs. The bats also seemed to be unphased by the pressure situation as they collected 12 two-out RBIs and hit .333 on Sunday with runners in scoring position. Though it may seem like specific individuals are off to slow starts, the Tides offense has been doing many things right as they give each other the chance to produce and win ballgames.
The pitching came up clutch and kept the Knights bats to a limit. They held Knights hitting to just a .212 clip (10-for-47) with runners in scoring position. Their strikeout stuff was on point all week as they collected 75 strikeouts last week. Kyle Brnovich had 13 strikeouts in two starts last week while the bullpen combined for 10 K's in five relief innings on Wednesday night. Brandon Young K'd eight batters in 5.1 innings on Saturday.
The Tides currently sit at 4-5 on the season. Here are three standout performers from last week's series split. It was not easy picking just three standout stars.
RHP Brandon Young: the Orioles' No. 19 prospect shoved on Saturday, going 5.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit and striking out eight en route to his first win of the season. He has yet to allowe an earned run this season.
OF Jud Fabian: the right-handed hitting prospect outfielder had a hit in each game that he appeared in last week. He went 7-for-21 (.333) overall with three big home runs, six RBI, and a 1.126 OPS.
IF Vimael Machin: "The Machin" is already a fan favorite in Norfolk, ahd he showed why he should be last week. He went 9-for-22 (.409) with five RBI and three runs scored. He also picked up a stolen base.
The Tides are in the middle of a six-game homestand against the Gwinnett Stripers (Braves AAA). Purchase tickets here and join the team for several promotions including the debut of the Norfolk Red Stockings and fireworks.
AA Chesapeake Baysox
A new era of Baysox baseball has officially begun. The Chesapeake Baysox debuted their rebrand this weekend with a three-game set at the Altoona Curve (Pirates AA) this weekend. Dressed in their new threads and logos, they took opening Weekend with a 2-1 series win against the Curve.
All three games were close contests decided by either one or two runs. On Friday, each offense chipped away at each other and entered the top of the ninth tied at two a piece. That was until Jeremiah Jackson smashed a go-ahead home run to put Chesapeake on top 3-2. Keagan Gillies would eventually shut the door with the save. Saturday was decided by a pair of clutch RBI hits in the eigth inning as Carter Young and Anthony Servideo provided the game-winning and insurance offense to help Chesapeake towards a 2-0 win. The Baysox fell to the Curve on Sunday 2-1 after stranding the tying run at third base in the top of the ninth. Last season, the team posted a .667 OPS which ranked bottom four in the Eastern League. Seeing that they only scored six runs on 15 hits all weekend, the offense is going to need to continue to find ways to push across more runs and take some weight off their pitchers' shoulders.
Speaking of pitching, the arms were lights out and they picked right where they left off last year. Their team 1.25 WHIP ranked fourth in the Eastern League last season and they posted a 3.79 team ERA. It appears that they haven't slowed down, and the 2025 season just started. Zach Fruit tossed 4.2 scoreless innings in his Double-A debut on Saturday, K'ing four batters. "Chillin' Dylan" Heid did his thing out of the 'pen and recorded the save in Saturday's win. Preston Johnson also had a dominant relief outting, going three scoreless on Sunday,
The Baysox are 2-1 after the series win. Here are three standout performers from the weekend.
RHP Preston Johnson: the 25-year-old righty tossed three scoreless relief innings on Sunday. He struck out three batters while only allowing one hit and walk.
RHP Peter Van Loon: the righty also had himself quite the dominant relief outing this weekend. He tossed three scoreless relief innings on Saturday, striking out four batters while keeping the Curve hitless.
OF Enrique Bradfield Jr.: the speed threat provided great offense all weekend, going 3-for-8 (.375) with a 1.000 OPS and an RBI.
The Baysox have started their first homestand of the season. They have a six-game homestand against the Erie Seawolves (Tigers AA) this week.
A+ Aberdeen Ironbirds
The Ironbirds opened their 2025 schedule with a three-game homestand against the debuting Hub City Spartanburgers. Perhaps the baseball gods sided with the new team as the Ironbirds fell in the opening series 2-1.
Opening Night was an extra-innings 4-3 loss as they were simply beat by good situational hitting from Hub City in the twelth inning. Even with the tying run at third base in the bottom of the twelth, the 'Birds could not push it across. The offense entertainment came from the team's speed, and they made it clear that they intend on using the running game just as much as they did last season whenthey shattered the MiLB single season stolen bases record. They stole six bases last night and ten on the weekend. As a matter of fact, Ethan Anderson scored the go-ahead run in Saturday's win by stealing home. Make no mistake: the 'Birds are going to fly all over those base paths, and opposing defense better be ready to defend against it. Otherwise, game over.
Former University of Virginia product and 2024 first rounder Griff O'Ferrall hit .286 with three RBI on the weekend. Top outfield prospect Vance Honeycutt struggled to a 2-for-11 (.182) clip with five strikeouts.
Several 'Birds pitchers had great weekends. No. 8 prospect Michael Forret tossed 4.2 innings of scoreless baseball on Saturday with five punchouts. Blake Money contributed in that same game by allowing just one run in four innings of relief.
The Ironbirds are 1-2 to start the season. Here are three key performers from this past weekend.
C Ethan Anderson: catchers are athletes! The backstop's steal of home was a deciding factor in Saturday's close win. He stole three bases in the opening series and went 4-for-11 (.364) with three walks and two runs scored.
OF Jake Cunningham: the outfielder smashed his first home run of the season this weekend while going 2-for-5 (.400) overall with four RBI and a double.
RHP Michael Forret: the up-and-rising O's pitching prospect tossed 4.2 scoreless innings in his seasond debut on Saturday. He allowed just two hits while striking out five batters.
The 'Birds are on the road this week for a six-game set at the Jersey Shore Blue Claws (Phillies A+).
A- Delmarva Shorebirds
The Shorebirds opened their season with a three-game road trip to the Salem Red Sox (Red Sox A-) this past weekend. It was a slow start to the season as they were swept in the brief weekend match up.
Opening night was anything but pleasant as they lost by a lopsided score of 12-1. Their lone run came on an RBI double from Raylin Ramos in the ninth inning. Besides that, they only mustered four hits and five total bases while striking out ten times. They struggled to score runs all weekend as they went 6-for-30 (.200) with runners in scoring position, stranded 23 base runners, and put up just 21 total bases. On the pitching end, command was a bit of an issue as they walked 16 batters in the three games. Eight of them came in Sunday's series finale. However, they did rack up 30 strikeouts and they kept the ball in the ballpark with just two home runs surrendered. Jacob Cravey had five strikeouts in 3.2 relief innings on Sunday. The 'Birds pitching kept the team in ballgames. Once the offense clicks and gets hot, the team has the capability to win a ton of baseball games.
The Shorebirds are 0-3 to start the season. Here are three standout performers from the weekend.
RHP Jacob Cravey: the righty got off to a hot start in 2025 after tossing 3.2 scoreless relief innings on Sunday. He K'd five while allowing no walks and holding the Sox to just two hits. He also needed just 51 pitches (34 strikes).
RHP Eccel Correa: the righty had a solid start on Saturday. He allowed just two runs over 4.1 innings while striking out five and allowing no free passes.
OF Kevin Guerrero: the 20-year-old from the Dominican Republic went 2-for-5 (.400) with two doubles, two walks, and a run scored in two games played this weekend.
The Shorebirds open their 2025 homestand this week against the Fayetville Woodpeckers (Astros A-).
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