Orioles sending Bradfield to Arizona Fall League; O’Neill could play in Toronto

BALTIMORE—Outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr., the Orioles No. 4 prospect, headlines the players the Orioles are sending to the Arizona Fall League.

Joining Bradfield, the team’s No. 1 draft pick in 2023 who’s finishing the season at Triple-A Norfolk, is another high draft pick, catcher Ethan Anderson, who was the Orioles’ second-round pick in 2024 and is ending his season at Double-A Chesapeake.

Outfielder Thomas Sosa, left-handed pitcher Luis De Léon, the No. 21 prospect, and right-hander Zach Fruit are also at Chesapeake and will play for the Peoria Javelinas.

Left-handed pitchers Carson Dorsey and Andy Fabian, who pitched for Single-A Delmarva, are also going to the AFL,

The Orioles, Mariners, Padres, Reds and Twins will supply players for the Peoria team.

The AFL season begins on October 6^th.

Top draft choices reflect on their seasons

On Tuesday, the Orioles’ top four draft choices discussed their seasons. Three of them — catcher/outfielder Ike Irish, the 19^th overall pick, catcher Caden Bodine and shortstop Wehiwa Aloy — played at Delmarva.

Irish hit .230 with a home run and eight RBIs in 20 games while Bodine, whose season ended early with a bruised finger, hit .326 with four RBIs in 11 games. Aloy hit .288 with two home runs and 14 RBIs in 20 games.

Bodine and Irish enjoyed working together behind the plate.

“The more, the better,” Bodine said. “Bouncing ideas off each other and getting better and pushing each other.”

Irish admired Bodine’s work behind the plate.

“I think he was the best catcher in college baseball this year,” Irish said. “Watching him do it when I’m playing first base or right field is really fun. He’s really, really good at what he does and being able to learn from him, pick up little things has been a really cool experience.”

Irish enjoyed taking batting practice at Camden Yards.

“It’s got a lot of character to it,” he said. “The Warehouse is pretty sick, just the overall feel. It’s well done.”

He’s made the transition from Auburn to the pros with aplomb.

“It’s your job now. It’s a little different from going to class and then playing a baseball game,” Irish said.

All three prospects and outfielder Slater deBrun, who didn’t play for an affiliated team, are headed to Sarasota for the team’s instructional league.

O’Neill, Sánchez updates: Outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who’s rehabbing his right wrist at Triple-A Norfolk, could return to the Orioles when they play at Toronto on Friday.

“If all goes well tonight, I’ll have him in the lineup Friday,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said.

Catcher Gary Sánchez, who’s on the 60-day injured list with a right knee injury, will be the designated hitter for Norfolk on Wednesday night. He’ll catch on Thursday.

“It’ll probably be a two-week rehab. He’s been out for a while,” Mansolino said. “He’s got to catch. He’s got to build his body up. It’s going to be a good amount of time. You can’t rush … You’re coming bad from a pretty tough knee injury. You’ve got to be smart and do what you’ve got to do.”

Norfolk’s season ends on September 21^st.

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