NEW YORK — Next prospect: Colton Cowser.
According to multiple reports, Cowser is expected to join the Orioles on Wednesday in New York, where the team has two more encounters with the Yankees to complete a four-game streak. The 23-year-old outfielder is Baltimore’s No. 2 contender and MLB Pipelines’ No. 14 overall contender.
The club has not confirmed the move.
Cowser would be called up by the O’s nine days after they named infielder Jordan Westburg (the club’s No. 3 and No. 32 overall in the MLB pipeline). Right-hander Grayson Rodriguez and infielder Joey Ortiz (O’s No. 5 contender and No. 65 overall) were also first-callers and made their big-league debuts that year.
It’s no big surprise that Cowser is reportedly joining the Orioles. During a MASN broadcast last weekend, general manager Mike Elias stated that Cowser is “ready for a call” and that “it depends on circumstances at the major league level.”
Now seems like a good time considering Baltimore have lost six of their last seven games (and 11 of their last 18). Five games remain before the All-Star break to get back on track — two in New York and three in Minnesota.
Cowser has raked at Triple-A Norfolk all year. In 56 games, he averaged .330/.459/.537 with 10 doubles, a triple, 10 homers and 40 RBIs. He might have been called up even earlier if he hadn’t missed two weeks from May 20 to June 3 with a left quadriceps strain, a period that kept outfielder Cedric Mullins on the big league injury list with a right groin strain was standing.
The Orioles would need to make room in both their 26-man roster and 40-man roster.