Adley Rutschman will play his first professional game in Maryland on Saturday night for the Aberdeen IronBirds.
Rutschman, who was the first overall pick in June’s Major League Baseball Draft, was removed from his game with Rookie League Gulf Coast in Bradenton, Florida for a pinch-runner after going 0-for-3 with a walk on Friday.
In five games with Gulf Coast, Rutschman, who caught two games, hit .214 (3-for-14) with a home run and two RBIs. He stole one base.
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The IronBirds will play Hudson Valley at Ripken Stadium at 6:05 p.m.
Orioles general manager Mike Elias said that Rutschman will do some catching in his first professional season, and will also be a designated hitter. Rutschman was the DH for three games with Gulf Coast.
The possibility exists that if Rutschman plays well for Aberdeen he’ll be promoted to Low-A Delmarva, which has already qualified for the South Atlantic League playoffs.
