Orioles’ Anderson De Los Santos Impresses Ahead Of Full-Season Debut

It was the kind of sound that makes everyone around the back fields turn to look at the source, and when they did, they saw the culprit:

Third baseman Anderson De Los Santos standing near home plate watching his towering 107 mph home run fly out to left field in an intrasquad game.

As the 5-foot-11, 185-pound De Los Santos moves toward a likely assignment to Low-A Delmarva this year, the 19-year-old will be hoping displays like that come more frequently in his full-season debut after being an early standout at minor league camp. 

Orioles minor league hitting coordinator Anthony Villa, while acknowledging the gap between the complex leagues and Low-A, believes the strength and athleticism that made that blast possible is a reason De Los Santos might be able to transition well.

“He’s very physical,” Villa said. “He’s put together, he’s got some bat speed, he hits the ball hard—and frankly that’s a big deal as you move levels. Are you physical enough to handle the next level? We feel confident that De Los Santos is checking that box of being physical enough.” 

His development since signing in January 2021 from the Dominican Republic is also a reason for confidence. De Los Santos had a nice Dominican Summer League campaign that year with a .904 OPS, but accomplished that without any plate discipline to speak of.

Upon graduating to the Florida Complex League in 2022, De Los Santos had a .752 OPS but with a much better approach.

“With the continued development he’s had with (hitting coach) Josh Bunselmeyer, he walked as much as he struck out, and just developed much better judgment of the strike zone,” Villa said.

“We’re seeing him continue to display that in spring training and are really hoping that that continues to be a carrying tool of his.”

BIRD SEED

— Two recent Orioles first-round picks made strong impressions in their first trips to big league camp. Heston Kjerstad, the No. 2 overall pick in 2020, hit four home runs with a 1.219 OPS in 44 spring plate appearances before he was sent to minor league camp on March 22. Colton Cowser, the No. 5 pick in 2021, was reassigned to minor league camp that day as well after hitting three home runs with a .920 OPS in 46 plate appearances. Cowser walked 13 times against 15 strikeouts in the Grapefruit League.

— Righthander Michael Baumann will be used as a reliever going forward, Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters last month, giving the former top 10 prospect a clear path to a major league role this season.