In July 2025, the Orioles received six players from the San Diego Padres in the trade that sent Ryan O’Hearn and Ramón Laureano to the Padres.
While one of those players, utilityman Brandon Butterworth, has moved up to Triple-A Norfolk, and another, first baseman Victor Figueroa, has hit 25 home runs for High-A Frederick and Double-A Chesapeake, only one of the six is rated among the MLB Pipeline Top 30.
Left-hander Boston Bateman, whom scouts considered the top get in the trade a year ago. is rated No. 11 in Pipeline. He’s rated at No. 10 by Baseball America, which rates Butterworth No. 30.
Bateman, who won’t turn 21 until September 20th, was the Padres second-round pick in 2024. In his second season of professional ball, he’s gone 4-3 for Frederick with a 3.63 ERA in 22 games.
He’s struck out 107 batters in 79 1/3 innings but walked 44. Bateman has allowed just five home runs.
“I think he’s progressing. His timeline is fine,” Keys pitching coach Jordie Henry said. “He’s just a younger guys out of the crop of dudes we’ve had this year.”
This season, Frederick has had three other top 30 prospects — left-handers Joseph Dzierwa and Caden Hunter, Nos. 3 and 4, and right-hander JT Quinn (14). All three are at Chesapeake. Right-hander Kyson Witherspoon (12) was acquired from Boston in the Adley Rutschman trade, and is with the Keys.
“I try not to look much about rankings,” Bateman said in a recent talk at Nymeo Field at Harry Grove Stadium. “All our teammates are good people. That’s the most important thing to me, creating that culture for the Orioles because in a couple of years we’ll be getting a ring in Baltimore.”
Since the All-Star break, Bateman’s innings have been limited. In his last four starts, he’s pitched 11 scoreless innings, allowing eight hits.
“I had a little thing with my hip, but I was fine,” Bateman said. “Just being careful because this is a long season and making sure I’m staying healthy, but I feel great. I’m excited to get back up to six innings, seven innings here soon.”
Bateman is confident. When asked how hard he throws, he wavers.
“I’ve been up to 100 this year, 99.7, t00, I just rounded up, might as well,” he said.
While his stats are impressive, what stands out most about Bateman is his size. He’s listed as 6-feet-8, 240 pounds.
Bateman is still enthused about being the centerpiece of last year’s trade.
“I think it was great,” Bateman said. “I’m grateful for every opportunity I get. It’s been really great to come over to the Orioles. What a great organization they are.”
Bateman didn’t pitch after he signed with San Diego in 2024, and had started 15 times with Single-A Lake Elsinore before he was traded. He had a 2.45 ERA in two starts for Delmarva and a 5.56 ERA in three starts for Aberdeen. The franchise transferred to Frederick for this season.
“It was my first year of pro ball, so it was definitely a little different,” he said. “I couldn’t have asked for better guys to come over with. Figgy, Butters, all of them. They’re great guys and super good humans more importantly. I loved it.
“I bring the most intensity, confidence. I want to win every single day. I want to be the best teammate I can.”
Because of his age, Henry thinks of Bateman in college years
“He’s still figuring out some daily routine things,” he said. “What his process needs to look like day-to-day between outings, how to handle the ups and downs of a pro ball season. He’s still figuring out those kinks that other guys that he’s been competing with on the same team have been doing for two or three years, more than he’s had the opportunity to do so.”
Early in the year, the Keys had Dzierwa, Quinn, last year’s top draft pick, Ike Irish and 2025’s organizational player of the year, Nate George, both of whom have had their seasons truncated by injuries and illness.
“They’re great guys. It goes back to the culture in the clubhouse that we’ve created, all of us,” Bateman said. “It stayed the same the whole entire year.”
Note: Right-hander Albert Suárez, who was designated for assignment for the fourth time this season, again passed through waivers and rejected an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk, making him a free agent.
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