This story was excerpted from Jake Rill’s Orioles Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
MINNEAPOLIS — Eight days removed from the Trade Deadline, the dust has fully settled.
Players who were dealt have reported to their new teams (whether that’s in the big leagues or the Minors). The final two-month stretch of MLB’s regular season is underway.
Let’s break down the early returns for Baltimore by taking a look at all the players acquired.
With Samuel Basallo (right shoulder inflammation) still on the injured list, Narváez has stepped in as the Orioles’ starting catcher ahead of Yohel Pozo. Entering Monday’s series opener at Minnesota, the 27-year-old was 2-for-15 (.133) through five games.
However, Narváez has quickly earned praise for his strong work behind the plate.
“He’s elite at what he does,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “It’s something that you notice across the way, but now that you’re in it with him, I haven’t been around a catcher that’s more prepared than him.”
Eyanson racked up nine strikeouts over five innings of two-run ball in his first start for Double-A Chesapeake on Saturday. The 21-year-old right-hander allowed a pair of solo home runs vs. Harrisburg, but his stuff was electric during an 82-pitch showing.
Witherspoon, who is also a 21-year-old righty, allowed only one unearned run over 4 1/3 innings in his High-A Frederick debut on Saturday. He recorded three strikeouts during an 88-pitch start against Jersey Shore.
Azocar has wasted little time showing off the tools that made him so highly regarded in Boston’s system. The 19-year-old outfielder went 10-for-24 (.417) with four doubles, one triple, one home run, eight RBIs and two walks over his first five games for Frederick.
Hoppe has joined Baltimore’s bullpen, giving the club a high-octane arm to deploy in various situations. The 27-year-old right-hander tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings over his first two appearances, which included working around a pair of hits in a clean frame at Texas on Sunday.
Kreiling made his first start for Single-A Delmarva on Saturday. The 24-year-old right-hander allowed two runs over two innings against Fredericksburg.
Moore has tossed two scoreless innings over a pair of appearances for Double-A Chesapeake. The 26-year-old righty has recorded three strikeouts and allowed only one hit.
A 14th-round Draft pick of the Orioles in 2023, Forret has since been traded twice — to Tampa Bay as part of the Shane Baz deal this past December, then back to Baltimore at the Deadline.
Forret’s return outing came for Triple-A Norfolk on Sunday, when he allowed two runs over 4 2/3 innings at Buffalo. The 22-year-old scattered seven hits, issued two walks and recorded five strikeouts during the 92-pitch, 53-strike performance.
After playing only seven Single-A games in the Twins’ organization, Reyes reported to Delmarva to continue his development. The 19-year-old outfielder went 3-for-23 (.130) with one RBI and eight walks over his first six games for the Shorebirds.
