Cowser, Mayo, Norby promoted from Aberdeen to Bowie; Mancini only Oriole among All-Star leaders

Halfway through the minor league season, the Orioles promoted three of their top prospects from High-A Aberdeen to Double-A Bowie on Monday.

Outfielder Colton Cowser, their top pick in the 2021 draft, second baseman Connor Norby, their second choice last year, and third baseman Coby Mayo, taken in the fourth round of the 2020 draft, are moving up to the Baysox.

Cowser, 22, who was the fifth overall selection last season, was batting .258 with four home runs and 22 RBIs and a .795 OPS. His on-base percentage is .385, and he’s stolen 16 bases in 17 attempts.

Norby, 22, who led all collegiate players with 102 hits at East Carolina, had a .237 average with eight home runs and 20 RBIs and a .736 OPS.

At 20, Mayo is the youngest of the group, and he hit .250 with 13 home runs and 42 RBIs and an .805 OPS.

Cowser, Norby and Mayo join infielder César Prieto and starting pitcher Justin Armbruester, who were recently promoted from the IronBirds to the Baysox. Cowser, Norby and Mayo will join Bowie for their game against Richmond at Prince George’s Stadium on Tuesday night.

Infielder/outfielder Ryan Higgins, the Orioles’ ninth-round choice in 2021, was promoted from Single-A Delmarva to Aberdeen. Higgins hit .203 with two home runs and 18 RBIs.

The Orioles haven’t promoted outfielder Heston Kjerstad, the overall second choice in the 2020 draft, from the Shorebirds to the IronBirds. Kjerstad, 23, whose professional debut was delayed until June 9^th because of myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, and a hamstring injury is off to a strong start for Delmarva, hitting .422 with a home run and 10 RBIs in his first 10 games.

The IronBirds, who won the first-half title in the South Atlantic League North Division, have a 45-24 record.

All-Star update: Trey Mancini is the only Oriole among the leaders in voting for the American League All-Star team. Mancini is seventh among designated hitters with 128,453.

Despite hitting for the cycle on June 22^nd, Austin Hays is no longer among the leaders for outfielders.

The finalists in All-Star balloting will be named on Thursday. Starters will be announced on July 8^th and reserves on July 10^th.

The All-Star Game will be played at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 19^th.

Note: The error charged to Jorge Mateo in Saturday’s game has now been charged to Hays. Mateo was unable to field a relay throw from Hays that bounced.