BOWIE, Md. — While the Orioles getting ready for their return, the team's rebuild is taking a big hit.
That's because Minor League teams like the Bowie Baysox, aren't going to have a season this year.
It's a major hit for a lot of players, who now won't have a chance to impress their clubs. It's also a hit for people who surround the game.
“You're looking at full-time staff for these teams, at least 65 to 70 percent that use this as a career, losing their jobs whether they're being laid off or furloughed,” said Baysox’s play-by-play announcer, Adam Pohl.
Aside from hurting staff careers, the cancellation is a big loss for the O's.
“When you look at where the Orioles are investing, it is in the Minor Leagues to try and bring a big wave of ready, big-league talent here in the next 2 or 3 years."
Players like Adley Rutschman will be particularly impacted.
The Orioles drafted the catcher first overall in 2019 but he lost a lot of learning time last season due to an illness.
With the lack of a Minor League season, he'll lose even more.
