Orioles Minor League Player of the Week: Mike Yastrzemski
Frederick Keys outfielder Mike Yastrzemski had an outstanding week for the single-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The grandson of legendary Boston Red Sox player Carl Yastrzemski went 12 for 22 (.545), with 9 runs, 4 doubles, 1 triple, 1 HR, 8 RBIs, and 1 SB on the week for the Keys. Yastrzemski also managed to hit for the cycle this past Saturday (he went 5 for 6, with 3 runs and 5 RBIs in the process).
The 23-year-old was a 14th round pick by the Orioles in the 2013 draft. Yastrzemski was previously drafted by the Red Sox (36th round in 2009) and the Seattle Mariners (30th round in 2012), but chose not to sign with either Boston or Seattle.
Despite not being touted as a major prospect entering the season, Yastrzemski is having a very successful campaign so far. The South Atlantic League All-Star (from when Yastrzemski played for the Delmarva Shorebirds) is hitting .333, with 13 RBIs and 29 total bases in just 16 games with Frederick since his call up from Delmarva. In 79 combined games this season with Delmarva and Frederick, Yastrzemski is hitting .311, with 99 hits, 11 HRs, 57 RBIs, and 67 runs.
Since being drafted last year, Yastrzemski has hit well and improved at all three minor league stops he has made so far (he has played for the Aberdeen Ironbirds, Shorebirds, and the Keys). Yastrzemski has an extremely impressive 155 hits in 136 total minor league games played since becoming an Orioles minor leaguer.
Other Orioles minor leaguers that enjoyed a solid week are:
Shorebirds
Chance Sisco – 13 for 30 (.433), 10 runs, 1 double, 1 triple, 1 HR, 6 RBIs; Creede Simpson – 10 for 28 (.357), 10 runs, 1 double, 1 HR, 4 RBIs; Austin Wynns – 7 for 17 (.412), 1 run, 3 RBIs; Gregory Lorenzo – 9 for 20 (.450), 5 runs, 1 double, 2 triples, 7 RBIs, 2 SBs; Conor Bierfeldt – 8 for 22 (.364), 3 runs, 4 doubles, 4 RBIs; and Hunter Harvey – 6 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 3 walks, 8 K’s, 1 win.
Keys
Michael Burgess – 10 for 25 (.400), 8 runs, 4 doubles, 3 HRs, 12 RBIs, 1 SB; Jason Esposito – 5 for 13 (.385), 1 run, 1 double; Brady Wager – 5 IP, 5 hits, 0 ER, 0 walks, 1 K, 1 win; Jesse Beal – 4 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 3 walks, 3 K’s, 1 win, 1 save; and Dennis Torres – 7 IP, 8 hits, 1 ER, 1 walk, 6 K’s, 1 save.
Baysox
Dariel Alvarez – 7 for 23 (.304), 4 runs, 1 double, 2 HRs, 9 RBIs; Kyeong Kang – 8 for 26 (.308), 4 runs, 4 doubles, 1 HR, 3 RBIs, 1 SB; John Ruettiger – 11 for 22 (.500), 6 runs, 2 doubles, 1 SB; Eduardo Rodriguez – 6 IP, 5 hits, 1 ER, 2 walks, 7 K’s; Marcel Prado – 3 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 2 walks, 5 K’s, 1 win; and Julio DePaula – 4 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 1 walk, 7 K’s, 1 save.
Tides
Steve Clevenger – 8 for 22 (.364), 4 runs, 1 double, 1 HR, 3 RBIs; Julio Borbon – 7 for 22 (.318), 3 runs, 1 RBI, 1 SB; Quintin Berry – 8 for 26 (.308), 7 runs, 4 doubles, 8 RBIs, 1 SB; Steve Lombardozzi – 6 for 17 (.353), 1 run, 2 doubles, 6 RBIs; Buck Britton – 8 for 18 (.444), 4 runs, 2 doubles, 3 RBIs; and Chris Jones – 5 IP, 3 hits, 1 ER, 2 walks, 5 K’s, 1 win.
