WASHINGTON—Ryan Mountcastle, the Orioles’ top power hitting prospect, has been named the International League’s Most Valuable Player.
Mountcastle, who enters Tuesday’s Norfolk game batting .308 with 25 home runs and 80 RBIs, leads the International League with 153 hits.
The 22-year-old, who was the 36th overall pick in the 2015 draft, is the first Norfolk Tide to be named MVP since Norfolk became an Oriole affiliate in 2007.
“He’s had a really nice year up until this point,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said. “I’d just like to see him continue to improve. One thing that we’ve prioritized was his defense and he’s improved at first base, and now he’s getting some time in left field.
“All the reports that I’m getting is that he’s making a lot of improvements defensively as well.”
DJ Stewart, who was drafted ahead of Mountcastle in 2015, has watched Mountcastle’s career with interest.
“He knows how to hit,” Stewart said. “He had a little bit of trouble early on, but he adjusted to it quickly. He’s never wavered because he’s a good hitter and a good player.
“He’s shown everyone in that league that not only is he a dangerous bat, but he’s a big part of that team.”
Injury updates: Hanser Alberto, who left Sunday’s game with a cervical/neck strain, and Renato Nunez, who departed with a hamstring injury, are both in the lineup for Tuesday’s game against the Washington Nationals.
Alberto was trying to steal second in the third inning, and on his slide, Tampa Bay second baseman Eric Sogard hit him with his shin on the side of his head while Sogard’s knee hit the back of his head.
“I got hit pretty good—twice,” Alberto said. “I got a headache right away. Then like an hour afterwards, I was fine.”
Alberto passed concussion tests.
The Orioles had a day off on Monday, but Alberto said he could have played.
Mark Trumbo, who has yet to play this season after right knee surgery, is beginning a rehab assignment at Norfolk. He’s the designated hitter for the Tides, and hopes to be activated when the rosters expand on Saturday.
Minor matters: Delmarva right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez was named the South Atlantic League’s Most Outstanding Prospect as well as the top right-handed starter on the league’s All-Star team.
Infielder Adam Hall was selected as the utility infielder. Manager Kyle Moore and pitching coach Justin Ramsey were also singled out.
Moore was also named as a coach on the Surprise Saguaros in the Arizona Fall League.
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Not sure why they would waste an inning on Trumbos retirement games, not trying to be mean, let him ride off into the sunset & let one of the youngens play...go O’s...
I actually applaud the Orioles for this. Hes given them a few years of work, was a vital cog in the last good team and by all accounts has been a professional throughout. If he wants to have one last summer in the sun, or to show the 29 other franchises he still has something in the tank, what's the harm in that?
Let Trumbo have a couple of ABs. It's his swan song. BUT Mountcastle has to be rewarded and get a call up. If they each get 10 ABs so be it. Just curious about Rutschman--does he play winter ball? Don't wanna wear the guy down.
I would think Rutschman gets to rest after Delmarva’s season.
Whatever the motivation, not bringing Mountcastle up in September would be a grave injustice to the young man.
I would agree. Service time be damned....bring the boy up and give him a taste.
I am not in favor of doing any favors for Trumbo. He got paid big $$$ for spending the season rehabbing, and he is not part of the rebuild. Go all the way or give it up. I do think he would make a good coach if he wants to do that when he retires.
he's had a really nice year up to this point? what is the problem that hyde and elias have with mountcastle? he won MVP of the international lg hes had a great year and should of been up in the bigs. if they are waiting till a month into next season to add a year to him being with the o's that never works out and if they bring him up on sept 1 and lose that why hasn't he been up earlier