The youth movement has landed in Baltimore. The Orioles sit in second place in the AL East, fueled by a group of homegrown talents still in their 20s. The young guns have given a jolt of energy to a franchise that can expect even more impact players in the near future.
Down on the farm, O’s prospects have been dominant. Ten of Baltimore's Top 30 prospects are in Triple-A Norfolk and knocking on the door to the Majors. One of those prospects is Colton Cowser, who posted his second multihomer game of the season in the Tides' 3-1 win over Jacksonville on Thursday.
After striking out four times in Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Jumbo Shrimp, Cowser mashed from the start when he got back on the field. The No. 33 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline drilled the first pitch of the game 110.3 mph over the right-field wall. It was the third time he's led off with a homer.
The big fly came off 6-foot-3 left-hander Devin Smeltzer, who has spent part of this season with the Marlins.
When Cowser stepped back up to the plate in the third inning, it seemed like déjà vu. Smeltzer was on the bump and the Orioles' No. 3 prospect smashed another fastball into the left-field bleachers.
Cowser finished the night 3-for-3 with a walk after grounding a single into left in the fifth. The big night raised the 2021 fifth overall pick’s average to .317 with an impressive 1.017 OPS.
The two taters were Cowser's first off a southpaw in 2023. Against lefties, the 23-year-old has posted a slash line of .304/.467.652. Against righties, he's compiled a .320/.453/.540 line with five long balls.
After a strong April, the 23-year-old has carried his success into May. Cowser is batting .393 with three homers this month. Coming out of Sam Houston State University, his main tool was pure hitting, but he's showing some real pop in pro ball.
Last season, the 6-foot-2 outfielder slugged 19 jacks across the top three levels of the Minors. He is on track to surpass that with seven homers just 33 games in.
Baltimore recalled former Top 30 prospect Kyle Stowers on April 30. If the Orioles need additional help in the outfield, Cowser is ready and waiting in the wings.