masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgIt was a Monday of good news for O’s pitching prospect Zach Britton.

First he was named the latest Eastern League pitcher of the week. Then, late Monday night, after a Baysox doubleheader, Britton got the word from O’s director of player development John Stockstill that he was being promoted to Triple-A Norfolk.

He will join the Tides on Tuesday in Charlotte and is set to make his first start on Thursday in Norfolk against Charlotte.

“I was just sitting in the stands sweating. John…It was a Monday of good news for O’s pitching prospect Zach Britton.

First he was named the latest Eastern League pitcher of the week. Then, late Monday night, after a Baysox doubleheader, Britton got the word from O’s director of player development John Stockstill that he was being promoted to Triple-A Norfolk.

He will join the Tides on Tuesday in Charlotte and is set to make his first start on Thursday in Norfolk against Charlotte.

“I was just sitting in the stands sweating. John Stockstill asked me to meet him in Brad Komminsk’s office after the game.

“He kind of said you’ve done well here, so it’s time for a new challenge. He said don’t change your approach there, keep doing what you’ve been doing. It’s kind of on me now to take advantage of this. I know there could be struggles at a higher level but I feel ready for a new challenge,” Britton said by phone as he packed his bags before heading to join the Tides.

Britton is 7-3, 2.48 over 15 outings for Bowie. He allowed just one run and four hits over eight innings in his most recent start, Friday at Altoona. He is 4th in the Eastern League in ERA and tied for 4th in wins.

The lefty has been on a major roll the past few weeks, allowing one earned run or less in six of his past seven starts. Britton is 5-0, 0.96 in those seven starts allowing just 5 ER and 36 hits over 46 2/3 innings in that time.

In 87 innings on the year, Britton has allowed 76 hits and just four homers. He has walked 28 and fanned 68 with a .231 batting average against and a 3.06 ratio of groundball to fly ball outs.

I first saw the news of Britton’s promotion Monday in a post by Orioles Hangout Bowie beat reporter Mike Miller.