Orioles minor league recap 4/11: Gibson debuts at Norfolk, Bradfield exits early

Kyle Gibson worked into the fourth inning, and Enrique Bradfield Jr. left the game early with left hamstring discomfort.

Triple-A: Gwinnett Stripers, (Braves) 6, Norfolk Tides 1

The Orioles signed Kyle Gibson to help offset injuries to Trevor Rogers and Chayce McDermott. Now, with Zach Eflin joining Grayson Rodriguez and Kyle Bradish on the injured list, Baltimore has an immediate interest in Gibson’s ability to perform at the big league level.

The 37-year-old made his 2025 debut with 3.1 innings for the Tides. Gibson plunked the second batter he faced, but the righty posted a pair of zeros to start his season. Gwinnett loaded the bases with three singles in the third, but Gibson limited the damage with only one run scoring on a sacrifice fly.

Gibson struck out the only batter he faced in the fourth inning before Roansey Contreras took his place. Gibson finished the day with 47 pitches (33 strikes) over 3.1 frames. The Orioles are monitoring every pitching option after a slew of injuries, but Contreras did little to help his cause with three earned runs in 1.2 innings.

Dylan Beavers drove in Norfolk’s only run with a single in the fifth. Coby Mayo and Jud Fabian both finished 1-for-4, Vimael Machín reached base twice with a single and a walk, and Maverick Handley recorded a hit in three trips. Both Terrin Vavra and Livan Soto went hitless.

Double-A: Chesapeake Baysox 3, Erie SeaWolves (Tigers) 2

Enrique Bradfield Jr. raced around the bags for a triple in the third, but the speedy outfielder immediately left the game with left hamstring discomfort.

I spent last weekend watching Chesapeake play in Altoona, and Bradfield clearly stood out as the pulse of the offense. Hopefully the former first-round pick will return to action soon.

The Bayox fell behind early before scoring all three runs in the sixth inning. Jeremiah Jackson worked a leadoff walk, Creed Willems followed with a single, and Tavian Josenberger smacked an Earl Weaver special. The long ball positioned Chesapeake for their fourth win of the season.

Alex Pham pitched into the sixth inning with only three hits and one run allowed. The former 19th-round pick struck out nine batters and only issued one walk.

Keagan Gillies struck out a pair in a scoreless ninth to notch the save.

High-A: Aberdeen IronBirds 5, Jersey Shore BlueClaws (Phillies) 1

Braxton Bragg limited Jersey Shore to only one hit and two walks over 5.1 innings. Bragg struck out eight while keeping the BlueClaws off the board. Daniel Federman extended the shutout with 1.2 scoreless frames. Teddy Sharkey tossed a scoreless eighth but allowed a solo homer in the ninth inning,

Aaron Estrada started the second inning with a single, stole second, and eventually broke for third. Estrada received credit for another stolen base and trotted home after a throwing error by the BlueClaws’ catcher.

Griff O’Ferrall drove in the second run with a double in the seventh, and Vance Honeycutt chased O’Ferrall home with a two-out triple. Ethan Anderson plated Honeycutt with a base hit to center, and Anderson De Los Santos scored the final run on a balk in the ninth inning. Honeycutt finished 2-for-4 with a walk.

Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 4, Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Astros) 1 — Game 1

Delmarva took the first game with a three-run fifth inning. Fernando Peguero gave the Shorebirds the lead with an RBI single, and Raylin Ramos added some insurance with a fielder’s choice. Kevin Guerrero drove in the final run of the game with a single that scored Peguero.

Michael Caldon walked a pair of batters in the first and another in the second. Cohen Achen struck out six over four innings of bulk relief. Achen allowed a run-scoring double on Fayetteville’s only hit of the game.

Carter Rustad closed out the first game with two scoreless innings.

Low-A: Delmarva Shorebirds 5, Fayetteville Woodpeckers (Astros) 0 — Game 2

Chase Allsup shined for Delmarva in the nightcap. The 2024 fourth-round pick held Fayetteville to only one hit over five scoreless innings. Allsup struck out 10 batters and walked a pair. Simon Leandro finished the shutout with a pair of scoreless frames.

Delmarva took the lead on a ground ball after loading the bases with three walks. The majority of the damage came during a four-run fourth. Alfredo Velásquez plated the second run with a single, Edwin Amparo drove in a pair with a double, and Amparo scored on a wild pitch.

The Shorebirds scored five runs despite tallying only three hits. The team walked eight times and benefited from a pair of Woodpecker errors.

Box scores

Friday’s Schedule

Norfolk: vs Gwinnett, 6:35 pm. Starter: Brandon Young (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Chesapeake: vs. Erie, 7:05 pm. Starter: Zach Fruit (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Aberdeen: at Jersey Shore, 6:35 pm. Starter: Michael Forret (0-0, 0.00 ERA)

Delmarva: vs. Fayetteville, 7:05 pm. Starter: Eccel Correa (0-1, 4.15 ERA)