Orioles’ Dylan Beavers aims to ‘maximize this shot’ with consistent playing time

HOUSTON Dylan Beavers is in a radically different situation than the Orioles outfield prospects who came before him.Kyle Stowers never started four games in a row during his time with the Orioles.

Colton Cowser was up for only one month before being demoted.

Heston Kjerstad once received only 17 plate appearances in 17 days on the Orioles roster.Beavers wont have to worry about any of that.Hes here to play, Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino declared before Beavers debut Saturday.

Hes not here to sit the bench.The reason has little to do with Beavers, the 24-year-old outfielder who clobbered Triple-A pitching this season.

Its a result of the state of the organization.Once general manager Mike Elias top prospects began arriving in Baltimore in 2022, the Orioles were contenders.

Baltimore narrowly missed a playoff spot in 2022 and then was the American Leagues winningest team the next two seasons combined.

The consequence of that, at times, was prioritizing winning in the present over developing prospects in the big leagues.The results have been mixed.

Cowser became a star player in 2024, but Stowers breakout came with the Miami Marlins and Kjerstad has struggled this season.The Orioles (56-67) have given up on the 2025 season, though, after their awful start and trade deadline fire sale.

The focus is on 2026, and the final six weeks of this season will be used as a test tube.

Beavers might be the most interesting subject.Its an awesome opportunity, Beavers said in the visiting clubhouse at the Astros Daikin Park before his debut Saturday, in which he went 1-for-5 with a double.

I cant say I really expected it to look like this in spring.

I just wanted to stay ready, and thats kind of what Ive been trying to do all season is be ready whenever I get an opportunity.I definitely want to maximize this shot that I have up here.Jackson Holliday, who said Beavers is one of his best buddies, is no stranger to the pitfalls the big leagues present.

He slumped when he was promoted in April 2024 and was demoted after only about two weeks.

He returned last July and has fared much better.Orioles promote OF Dylan Beavers, No.

3 prospect, to majors: He earned itHollidays been anticipating Beavers call-up as he continued seeing Norfolks box scores and the eye-popping numbers his friend was putting up .304 batting average, .934 OPS, 18 home runs, 23 stolen bases and 68 walks versus 76 strikeouts.He brings a lot to the table, Holliday said.

Obviously, the ability to impact the game on multiple levels on offense as far as being able to hit the ball hard and run the bases really well and be a big time steal threat.

Its a lot of fun being able to watch him play, playing in the minor leagues with him.But its Beavers demeanor that makes Holliday confident that his 2022 draft class mate is ready for the show.Hes got a really good head on his shoulders, he said of Beavers, who was drafted No.

33 overall, 32 spots after Holliday.

Hes super competitive and always looking to get better.

I think thats what makes him a great player, hes always trying to become a better version of himself.

Hes done a great job, and thats why hes here.When Mansolino would periodically check Beavers stats when he was in Triple-A, the skipper would gravitate to a number that brings out the old grandpa in me .304 batting average.I know Im not supposed to say that, Mansolino quipped, referencing modern baseballs preference for on-base percentage and OPS.

But batting average is indicative of contact and contact quality.

I think it kind of paints that picture.

I like the fact that he hit .300.

I know thats old school, but batting average matters.The fact that he made contact, that the contact quality was good, that in addition with his strikeout rate and walk rate paints a really good picture that this guy is a really good hitter.Its not difficult to understand why Mansolino is infatuated with Beavers bat-to-ball skills.

His batting practice Saturday wasnt a home run derby like fellow prospect Samuel Basallo puts on or a Gunnar Henderson exit velocity showcase.

But it did display Beavers compact swing, contact approach and gap-to-gap power.Beavers was drafted at the end of the first round in 2022 despite sporting a funky swing coming out of the University of California.

He hit well in the minors throughout the 2023 campaign, but he struggled last year with a .242 average and .750 OPS as he continued to implement swing changes.Related ArticlesOrioles lose marathon to Astros, 5-4, as Ramon Urias plays spoiler again: Its a crazy gameOrioles promote OF Dylan Beavers, No.

3 prospect, to majors: He earned itHit or error? Play that ended Orioles pitchers perfect game bid sparks debate.Brandon Young on a familiar roller coaster for Orioles pitchers | ANALYSISOrioles Brandon Young loses perfect game bid with 4 outs left in 7-0 win over AstrosThis season, its all come together, and the projectable power he had as a prospect thanks to his 6-foot-5 frame is finally starting to show.The base of the swing has been pretty similar for a while, Beavers said of his swing changes Its just little tweaks that Ive made.

And this year, I feel like Im controlling my forward move a little bit better, and thats made it easier to stay consistent.

No matter what pitch I see, I feel like I can adjust to it.Mansolino could tell Beavers was nervous when he spoke to him before Saturdays game.

His advice to the youngster was to not change the player he was in Norfolk.

Thats the player that earned his way to the big leagues, and its one, Mansolino said, is good enough to become a key part of the Orioles future.The same exact player he was in Triple-A, Mansolino asked what he envisions Beavers being at the end of this season.

Good swing decisions, makes contact, runs the bases well, catches the ball in the field.

If he does those things, hes a major league player.Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at [email protected], 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer..

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