Enddy Azocar may have been under the radar when the season started, but the 19-year-old isn't anymore after posting numbers that put him alongside some of the game's top prospects.
The Orioles’ No. 9 prospect currently leads all teenagers in total bases (248) and sits eighth in OPS (.901) among that age bracket in the Minors. The latter category's current leader? Rainiel Rodriguez (STL No. 1/MLB No. 18).
Azocar came over to Baltimore in the blockbuster Trade Deadline deal centered around All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman. And the Orioles weren't satisfied just picking up a pair of impressive pitching prospects -- Anthony Eyanson (BAL No. 2/MLB No. 49) and Kyson Witherspoon (BAL No. 12) -- they wanted to make sure that the up-and-coming Azocar was part of their deal.
The Venezuela native has been learning the ropes in a new organization, but that hasn't slowed his progress -- or his breakout season -- in the slightest.
After the trade, Azocar headed to High-A Frederick, where he has slashed .353/.398/.588 through 21 games with three homers and a .986 OPS.
For the whole season (including his time with Single-A Salem and High-A Greenville), his OPS (.900) has catapulted over 200 points from his first full campaign in pro ball in 2025 (.657). And utilizing a 55-grade power tool, he's bypassed the 20-homer mark for the first time his career this year.
COMPLETE ORIOLES PROSPECT COVERAGE
There is one week remaining in the High-A regular season, and Azocar's Keys are guaranteed a spot in the South Atlantic League playoffs as the top team during the North Division's first half.
Then it'll be interesting to watch how aggressively Baltimore promotes the 2024 international free agent who reached High-A after 155 pro games.