Orioles Promote Majewski for Friday Night MLB Debut
Aug 19 | Baseball
BALTIMORE, MD – The Baltimore Orioles have promoted former Rutgers standout Val Majewski (Freehold, NJ) from its Class AA affiliate, the Bowie Baysox, and will have the 23-year-old outfielder in uniform on Friday night, when they host the Toronto Blue Jays at Camden Yards.
Majewski, drafted in the third round out of Rutgers following the 2002 season, has excelled at every level in the Orioles farm system. He was hitting .307 with 24 doubles, five triples, 15 home runs and 80 RBI in 112 games for the Baysox this season, swiping 14 bases along the way. He was named to the Eastern League All-Star team and represented the Orioles' farm system in the Futures All-Star game in Houston in mid-July.
"I am going to try to learn every day and make the best of this experience," Majewski said. "The Major Leagues is something that has always been in the back of my mind. I just want to do well."
Majewski's story began in the fall of 1999, when he walked onto the Rutgers baseball team as a non-scholarship player as made a quick impression in the fall of 2000, helping the team to both the BIG EAST Regular Season and Tournament Championship and a national ranking as high as 14th. He started for two years in the outfield, helping Rutgers to a school-record 41 wins in 2001, and was the 78th pick in the 2002 draft.
"I get a chance to play against [Major Leaguers] and it's an honor," Majewski said. "It's unfortunate with the injuries some of the high draft picks have had in the past but a lot of guys have been improving. I am just trying to improve every day and give them a reason to move me up."
He is the second RU alum to earn a promotion this year, joining KC Royals OF David DeJesus, who recently assembled a 15-game hitting streak as the the team's starting centerfielder. The duo joins current Texas Rangers outfielder Eric Young as Rutgers alumni in the major leagues.
