The Baltimore Orioles made a flurry of moves in the minor leagues Saturday night, promoting 10 prospects across three levels as the organization reshuffles its pipeline with the big club pushing toward October.
The headliner on the Triple-A side is left-handed pitcher Luis De León, Baltimore's No. 7 prospect per MLB Pipeline, who heads to Norfolk after earning the promotion with a strong showing at Double-A. He's joined by No. 27 Juaron Watts-Brown, a righty pitcher, giving the Tides a pair of reinforcements who could factor into major league decisions down the stretch if additional injuries strike.
The bigger buzz is in Double-A. Wehiwa Aloy, the organization's No. 4 prospect and one of the most-watched names in the system, jumps to Chesapeake after slashing .300 with 15 home runs at High-A Frederick. The slugging shortstop has drawn comparisons to a natural middle-of-the-order bat, and this promotion puts him one step from Norfolk — and potentially one big league camp from Baltimore. He's joined at Double-A by infielder Victor Figueroa, right-hander Joe Glassey, and No. 11 prospect Caden Hunter, a pitching piece the organization has been careful not to rush.
Frederick picks up four newcomers: infielder Félix Amparo, catcher Andrés Nolaya, right-hander Christian Rodriguez, and lefty Stephen Still.
For an Orioles franchise that has looked to build success on internal development and now has money from ownership to make large contracts, Saturday's moves are a reminder the conveyor belt hasn't stopped — even as the big league club fights for a postseason spot.