Colton Cowser’s first stint inside the majors received right here to an end Monday, with the Orioles optioning their No. 2 prospect once more to Triple-A Norfolk and activating Aaron Hicks from the injured itemizing.
The fifth normal select inside the 2021 draft, Cowser appeared in 26 video video games after his early July promotion, with plenty of his time coming with Hicks and Cedric Mullins, Baltimore’s important center fielders, on the IL. However the 23-year-old was unable to capitalize on the having fun with time, going 7-for-61 (.115) with two doubles, 13 walks and 22 strikeouts. Earlier than Baltimore’s weekend sequence in Seattle, Cowser talked about he hoped to “cease considering so rattling a lot” as he tried to settle into the big leagues.
“Colton’s going to be a very good main league participant,” supervisor Brandon Hyde talked about. “Obtained off to a reasonably good start, after which he merely type of obtained caught in between a little bit of bit in his at-bats. I merely want him to go down there and free his ideas up. Form of reset a little bit of bit, loosen up and breathe and go take some at-bats, and don’t concern about trying to offer up proper right here. And maybe we’ll see him rapidly.
“When you begin getting in between, unexpectedly now you’re sort of on the lookout for sure pitches and simply not in a position to loosen up within the batter’s field. I simply thought he was getting frozen up somewhat bit in his at-bats the final couple weeks. So that you go down there, clear your thoughts, clear your head and go get some at-bats and hopefully come again.”
After being launched by the New York Yankees, Hicks obtained off to a strong start with the Orioles, serving as a fill-in for Mullins after the 2021 All-Star’s first correct groin strain. Hicks hit .307 with a .983 OPS in his first 20 video video games with the group. However he slumped rapidly after Mullins’ return, batting .203/.300/.304 in his final 22 video video games sooner than occurring the IL himself with a left hamstring strain.
The Orioles is likely to be cautious with Mullins, who has missed 44 video video games all through two IL stints for the groin strain. Hicks, a switch-hitter, will proceed to see time in center, the nook spots and possibly designated hitter. He went 1-for-8 in two rehabilitation video video games with Norfolk, the place Cowser batted .330 with a .996 OPS this 12 months to earn his promotion.
It’s positively not unusual for well-regarded prospects to battle of their first major-league go. Neither Adley Rutschman nor Gunnar Henderson required a return to the minors, nevertheless every endured gradual stretches as they began their paths to stardom with Baltimore, which Henderson reminded Cowser of whereas the pair carried out video video video games collectively these days. The Orioles despatched prime pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez once more to Triple-A after 10 up-and-down begins to open his occupation, nevertheless he enters Monday’s matchup with the San Diego Padres with a 3.45 ERA in 5 begins since being generally known as once more up.
“It’s not at all times a horrible factor to have a man come up right here and expertise what main league pitching’s like and what large league life is like,” Hyde talked about. “Perceive how one can undergo some changes while you return right down to Triple-A. We noticed Grayson try this earlier this yr. He got here again a unique man.”
Cowser, too, is positioned to rejoin the Orioles sooner than the tip of the season, even when the contending crew determined it couldn’t afford to let him work via his struggles whereas inside the majors. Baltimore will identify up a minimal of 1 place participant when rosters improve Sept. 1, and Cowser’s tempo and ability to play all three outfield spots is likely to be of price as a result of the Orioles search their first playoff berth since 2016.
“I feel for him it’s about rebuilding that confidence once more,” Hicks talked about. “I really feel like when he received up right here, he was sort of being extra passive, whereas I would like him to be extra aggressive. He was strolling, he was having nice at-bats, however on the large league stage, it simply comes right down to being aggressive. I simply suppose for him, it simply appeared like he was beginning to lose his confidence somewhat bit, and when you lose that as a younger participant within the large leagues, it’s sort of robust to regain it again.”
Across the horn
- Left-hander John Means, working his method once more from remaining 12 months’s Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgical process, will make his second rehabilitation start for Double-A Bowie on Tuesday.
- Mullins’ home run-robbing catch inside the ninth inning of Sunday’s victory in the direction of the Seattle Mariners was named MLB’s play of the week. It’s he fourth time Mullins has gained the excellence, most likely probably the most of any participant as a result of it was formally launched in 2019.
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