gave him a record $8.1 million signing bonus. The 23-yearold Rutschman is considered an All-Star caliber talent, a switch hitter with power, and great defensive skills with a knack for handling pitchers. He started his professional career in 2019 at Single-A Aberdeen, hitting .320 in 20 games to earn a promotion to Delmarva, where he ended the season. In 2020, he worked out at the Orioles’ minor league complex in Sarasota because of the pandemic, then started this season at Bowie.
TOWNE INTERVIEW
Adley Rutschman Bowie Baysox Star Catcher
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By Tom Worgo Photography by Bill Vaughan
very chance catcher Adley Rutschman gets, he watches Orioles’ games in the clubhouse of the Bowie Baysox. That’s as close he can get for the time being. Rutschman, ranked the No. 2 prospect in baseball by MLB.com, might be in line for a September call-up to the big leagues or a regular spot in the lineup in 2022 if he looks ready.
“That’s where you want to be, playing on TV every night with the big-league team,” Rutschman explains. “That’s the ultimate goal and motivation for me every day.” The expectations for the 6-foot-4, 220-pound Rutschman are huge. The Orioles drafted him No. 1 overall out of Oregon State University in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft and they 30
What’s Up? Eastern Shore | September 2021 | whatsupmag.com
What’s Up? Media talked to Rutschman about a pending promotion to Baltimore, his development, the positive influence his family has had on him, and where he likes to eat in Annapolis when he stayed in a hotel there while playing for Bowie. The media has labeled you the future face of the franchise. How do you respond? I think it’s an extreme honor to have that label put on you. For me, it’s always going to be one of those things I am going to be appreciative of. It doesn’t mean a lot about how I go about my daily business. I am going to do everything the same way. My goals and
expectations are going to be extremely high for myself. My mindset is to make the most of every single day and take nothing for granted. This is your second season in the minors. What are the improvements that are helping you get closer to the big leagues? It comes down to elevating things mentally. I’m refining parts of my swing and from a defensive standpoint, being able to call a good game and understanding what the pitchers want to do. It’s a huge part of it. Since there was no minor league baseball season last year. Did you make as much progress in your development? It’s a different body of work. The sheer number of at-bats and games you get while playing a full minor league season; I wasn’t able to get that during the Covid year at the alternate site. But I was able to make the most out of the opportunities I was given. You have any superstitions? I do get into different habits. If I am batting left-handed, I have to put my lead glove or my right-handed glove on first. If I am batting
