A 19th round draft pick of the Chicago White Sox in 2016, Anthony Villa played three years on the White Sox farm. His last season as a player was 2018.

Now Villa, age 31, is in his second year as the Orioles’ director, player development. He moved into that position in October of 2023.

He is one of the people at the very top of the O’s minor league system. He holds a key management role. He moved up consistently on the O’s farm since joining the organization ahead of the 2020 season. He is one of many key people that helped the O’s rise to become the No. 1 organization in all of the minors.

Villa works closely with Matt Blood, the club’s vice president of player development and domestic scouting, to oversee the Orioles’ player development operation.

Villa’s responsibilities include staff recruitment and development, as well as implementation of player development strategies and programs throughout the entire minor league system.

I have interviewed Villa a few times now and find him to be a great baseball guy to talk with. The O’s have a young, talent here and I think you will really enjoy our conversation.

We got into numerous topics about the O’s farm and you will know more about the O’s operation after you listen to this.

Thanks for being here for episode No. 10!

O’s win big versus Detroit

When the Orioles scored seven runs in the last of the eighth last night, they blew open a close game and went on to beat Detroit 10-1.

Tonight they can win a series versus the club with the best record in the American League, but they are facing lefty Tarik Skubal (6-2, 2.16 ERA), the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner.

The O’s scored their second-most runs all year and most since getting 12 on Opening Day at Toronto. That game also was their biggest win margin of the year as they beat the Blue Jays 12-2. Last night, a nine-run win, now ranks second.

The O’s had been 0-4 scoring just eight runs versus Detroit until this win. The O’s produced a season-high 16 hits and the club’s six extra-base hits was their most since eight against Kansas City May 4.

The Baltimore bullpen has put up 6 2/3 scoreless this series and has allowed just one run over 28 1/3 innings (an ERA of 0.32) the last eight games.

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