Both Kyle Stowers and Terrin Vavra fell out of the spotlight behind several top prospects in Birdland. Stowers clawed his way back to Baltimore. Can Vavra do the same?
Kyle Stowers arrived at spring training facing an uphill battle for playing time. Once named the organization’s minor league Co-Player of the Year with Adley Rutschman, Stowers had fallen behind the likes of Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad and even Ryan McKenna.
Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins and Austin Hays were all locks to return, and the Orioles only needed one additional outfielder to break camp with the team. Kjerstad appeared to carry an early advantage after making the ALDS roster in 2023, but Cowser used a strong spring and superior defense to ultimately win the job.
Stowers did his best to make an impression in Sarasota with seven homers and 14 RBIs. He fell short of the Opening Day roster, but did enough to stay in the depth conversation. Stowers went to Triple-A and crushed the ball as a member of the Norfolk Five. He launched 11 homers in only 36 games while playing all three outfield positions.
Stowers watched Cowser emerge as the American League Rookie of the Month in April, but he also saw Kjerstad and McKenna fail to to thrive with the big league club. The Orioles designated McKenna for assignment twice. Stowers finally received an opportunity when Mike Elias opted to swap the 26-year-old with Kjerstad on May 13.
Kjerstad only received 17 plate appearances during his time in Baltimore. The Orioles likely wanted one of their top prospects to receive more consistent at bats, so they turned to Stowers for the bench role.
Stowers broke out Monday against the Red Sox going 3-for-4 with 4 RBIs. He’s looked the part of a capable reserve with seven hits in 18 at bats (.389 batting average). The Orioles rewarded Stowers with a start as the designated hitter last night, and he’s held up as a pinch runner or defensive replacement.
Stowers appears comfortable in his current role while still striving for success. He joined Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg on Barstool’s The Yak podcast and held his own with three of the better hitters on the club.
Dan Katz asked the players about staying engaged when they are not in the lineup. Cowser quickly pointed out that Henderson hasn’t missed a game this season before Stowers jumped in with a light-hearted “I might be better suited to answer this question.”
Stowers appears to have overcome the odds and carved out a legitimate role in 2024. Kjerstad will return at some point, but the outfield is nearing the end of an era. Stowers should have an opportunity to contribute and potentially grow moving forward.
Stowers received only 30 major league at bats in 2023 before an early option and a pair of injuries cost him the season. His recent success should provide a template and extra motivation for players that fell out of the spotlight in the system.
Terrin Vavra made his big league debut on July 29, 2022. He tallied 23 hits in 89 at bats (.258 BA), with 12 walks and 12 RBIs. Vavra did not look overmatched at the plate, and he appeared capable of playing second base or corner outfield with the O’s.
Vavra finished 2022 at the major league level before making last year’s team. Vavra failed to take a step forward going 12-for-49 without an extra-base hit during two stints with the Orioles. Vavra was optioned in early June and never returned after undergoing shoulder surgery.
Vavra remained out in the spring but he’s finally healthy. He made a brief rehab appearance at Aberdeen before rejoining the Tides in May. MASN’s Roch Kubatko posted a quote-filled article over the weekend that details Vavra’s journey back to baseball.
Similar to Stowers, Vavra fell out of the spotlight behind top prospects like Jackson Holliday, Connor Norby and Coby Mayo. Vavra will require an extended chunk of playing time at Norfolk after missing nearly a year of baseball, but the Orioles will not completely dismiss his return.
Vavra ranked as the club’s 14th best prospect when he debuted in 2022. Holliday struggled in his first stint with the big league club. Like Kjerstad, he’ll definitely return at some point, but the timing remains undefined. Jorge Mateo looks like an every day player right now, and Jordan Westburg is a bonafide major leaguer, but Ramón Urías appears to have his best days behind him in Baltimore.
Norby should debut this season, but the front office likely wants regular at bats for him too. Vavra could materialize as a sweetener in a trade, or he could move up the depth chart if Norby or another player is dealt in July. Vavra’s inability to play shortstop prevents him from true utility status, but the 27-year-old could find his way into the corner outfield if the team suffered a few injuries in the second half.
Baltimore was able to sneak Vavra through waivers after his surgery last season. He’s not currently on the 40-man roster, but he does have an option remaining if/when that becomes relevant.
The Orioles do not need Terrin Vavra to win a World Series this year. His moment may have passed in Baltimore, but Stowers heard that same noise before this season.