Baysox 2024 Arizona Fall League Recap
BOWIE, M.D. (November 19, 2024) - The 2024 Arizona Fall League concluded on Saturday night, as the Surprise Saguaros, led by 2024 Bowie Baysox manager Roberto Mercado with a roster that included four members of the 2024 Baysox, faced off against the Salt River Rafters for the AFL championship. The
BOWIE, M.D. (November 19, 2024) - The 2024 Arizona Fall League concluded on Saturday night, as the Surprise Saguaros, led by 2024 Bowie Baysox manager Roberto Mercado with a roster that included four members of the 2024 Baysox, faced off against the Salt River Rafters for the AFL championship.
The Saguaros came up just short, falling 3-2 in the AFL Championship Game. However, many members of the 2024 Baysox still made their mark this fall.
Catcher Creed Willems' Fall League campaign was highlighted with his selection as a 2024 Fall Star. The Orioles No. 22 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, led all qualified Surprise hitters with a .338 batting average. Willems tallied a pair of home runs, including an inside-the-park homer on November 5 against Peoria.
Creed Willems has been named an Arizona Fall League Fall Star ⭐️
— Orioles Player Development (@OsPlayerDev) November 8, 2024
Roberto Mercado will manage the American League team this Saturday on MLB Network! pic.twitter.com/4drA2Vx0tp
Creed Willems isn't satisfied with the status quo.
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) November 3, 2024
Focused on improving his swing and arm strength beyond his natural abilities, the @Orioles' No. 22 prospect is showing off a new approach in the desert: https://t.co/Csh2PEl4GT pic.twitter.com/7qQVJlIGfC
He posted a .391 on-base percentage and a .891 OPS in 19 Fall League contests, starting nine games at catcher and four at first base. Willems had zero passed balls and did not commit a single error in the field.
An eighth round pick of the Orioles in 2021 out of Aledo High School in Texas, Willems was promoted to the Baysox on August 27 this past season. In 16 Double-A contests, Willems hit .262 with four home runs, including his first professional career multi-home run affair in just his second game at the level, back on August 28.
Creed Willems notches his first professional career multi-home run game in his second Double-A contest!
— Bowie Baysox (@BowieBaysox) August 29, 2024
Rewatch both homers as our "Jimmy's Famous Meals Play of the Game" from Wednesday night! pic.twitter.com/YndfhkoCmw
Outfielder Douglas Hodo III also featured for the Saguaros in Arizona. The 2024 Baysox outfielder held down both left and center field through 21 games with no errors and a single outfield assist. Hodo hit .228 this fall, but posted a team-high .443 on-base percentage (among qualifiers). His 19 walks were third-most in the league. Hodo also added nine stolen bags to his line in 11 attempts.
A sixth-round selection by Baltimore in 2022 out of the University of Texas, Hodo was promoted to Bowie back on August 29. He featured in 14 games for the Baysox, hitting .267, while six of his 12 hits went for doubles. Hodo tacked on five steals in six attempts in his first taste of Double-A.
On the mound, Baysox right-handers Houston Roth and Tyler Burch exclusively worked out of the Surprise bullpen. Roth tallied six outings during his AFL campaign, striking out nine across five-and-one-third innings. Burch allowed just two hits and one run in his four outings on the bump for the Saguaros.
Roth finished his second season with the Baysox in 2024. In 33 relief outings with Bowie, he posted a 3.35 ERA. The right-hander struck out 65 through 48.1 innings. Burch spent much of 2024 season on the Baysox injured list, but was activated for the final series of the 2024 Eastern League season, where he saw action in two games.
Mercado managed Surprise to its fifth-consecutive AFL Championship Game appearance. He was also selected to manage the American League side in the 2024 Fall Stars Game. The Saguaros posted a league-best 18-10 record during the campaign. Mercado joined MLB Network from the Surprise dugout during Saturday night's broadcast of the Championship Game to reflect on his experience from the fall.
Managing in the @MLBazFallLeague Championship Game, @BowieBaysox skipper Roberto Mercado chats about his experience in the desert 🌵@MLBNetwork | @OsPlayerDev | @Orioles pic.twitter.com/PgQL3v7H3w
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) November 17, 2024
Mercado spent 2024 as the Baysox skipper in his first season at Double-A and third campaign in the Orioles system. A New Britain, Connecticut native, Mercado was the 2022 recipient of the Orioles' Cal Ripken, Sr. Player Development Award.
The Baysox are excited to make a major announcement this Friday morning, November 22. You can click here to learn more about the special announcement. The Baysox will follow Friday’s exciting announcement with a Holiday Launch event on Saturday, November 23, at Prince George’s Stadium. Join us from 1 – 4 p.m. and kick off the holidays with local vendors, a kids park, free hot chocolate, and more! Register here.
The 2025 Baysox home opener is scheduled for Tuesday, April 8 against the Erie SeaWolves at Prince George’s Stadium. Ticket plans for the 2025 season are now on sale online. The full 2025 season schedule with game times can also be found online at Baysox.com. For more information, call 301-805-6000, or visit us online at Baysox.com. Stay up to date with the latest team news and promotional info by following the Baysox on Facebook, Instagram, and X.