Top Draft pick Rutschman makes IronBirds debut

ABERDEEN, Md.-- Adley Rutschman stepped out of the clubhouse after his debut with the Aberdeen IronBirds on Saturday night with a big smile on his face. He was not thrilled with his 0-for-5 performance in his first game with the Orioles’ Class A Short Season team, but he felt good about several other things in Aberdeen’s 5-2 victory over the Hudson Valley Renegades at Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium.

Rutschman was just happy to be playing baseball at this level (New York-Penn League) and is hopeful that he can soon get rolling at the plate.

“It was a fun game to be a part of,” he said. “Obviously, didn’t get any hits today, didn’t have the at-bats I wanted to, but that’s part of baseball. I’m looking forward to just getting in the swing of things.”

Rutschman was the first pick in the 2019 Draft and possibly the first major piece of the Orioles' rebuilding effort. The club's No. 1 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, came to Aberdeen for Saturday’s game after playing five contests in the Gulf Coast League. He also brought many expectations with him, and there's no question that the IronBirds and their fans were waiting for him, even though the official word that Rutschman would play did not come until Friday afternoon.

The team shop was selling Rutschman T-shirts with his No. 35 on them, and even some cashiers wore them. Rutschman also was touched by the huge ovation he received when coming to bat for the first time.

The designated hitter batted second and waited for a moment while the loud cheers washed over him for several seconds in the first inning.

“It was exhilarating,” Rutschman said with a smile after the game. “I was kind of enjoying it, looking down at the ground for a second … [trying to] soak in every second of it.”

Rutschman sent a soft fly ball to short left field on that first at-bat, then struck out and twice grounded into force plays at second before grounding out to second. He left eight men on base, but hit the ball hard three times.

“My focus right now, I just want to get in the groove again and get comfortable at the plate,” Rutschman said.

Aberdeen manager Kevin Bradshaw said before the game that Rutschman will go through a period of getting used to life at this level in the Minor Leagues.

“It’s all an adjustment,” Bradshaw said. “Even, you know, the guys that come from the big-time college programs have an adjustment period. It’s a process that every player has to go through.”

Rutschman was a catcher at Oregon State and just the team’s second ever No. 1 pick overall. The Orioles are being careful in how they handle him, and Bradshaw said Saturday that Rutschman will probably catch three times a week, serve as the designated hitter every other day and even play first base from time to time.

He also is going to receive one day off per week.

“He’s going to be busy,” Bradshaw said. “We’re not going to over-use him, by any means, but we’ve got to get him his at-bats.”

Rutschman is going to settle in to life in Aberdeen, a quiet area about 30-40 minutes from Camden Yards, and try to work his way into becoming a part of this team. That's the next step in his adjustment process, and something his father thinks Adley is ready to take on.

“He’s a super-big team guy,” said Randy Rutschman. “I think he’s excited to be with a group of guys now that travel together and ride a bus together. I think he’s really excited.”