Bryce Harper Comes To Bowie July 25-27

As the Baysox turn the corner and begin the second half of the season, they will face stiff competition from the rest of the Eastern League. The All-Star break is a popular time for organizations to promote their top prospects to the next level where they can hone their skills against stiffer competition.

Some of the biggest names in Minor League Baseball, including Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper, find themselves in the Eastern League to start the second half of the season and will be traveling to Bowie, giving fans a chance to see them up close before they get to the big leagues.

Harper and the Harrisburg Senators come to town July 25-27 to take on the Baysox. Just 18 years old and ranked by Baseball America as the top prospect in the minor leagues, Harper was the high-profile first overall selection by the Nationals in the 2010 First Year Player Draft. He started the 2011 season with Single-A Hagerstown where he hit .314 with 14 home runs 46 RBIs in 72 games before skipping High-A and being promoted straight to Harrisburg. Harper got off to a fast start in Harrisburg, batting .500 with two RBIs and a stolen base in his first three games at the Double-A level.

Fans can watch Harper with the Futures of the Beltway Series Ticket Package. The package is $42 and includes Lower Reserved seat tickets on the visiting team side for all three games of the Harrisburg series, early admittance to the ballpark for all three games of the series and a free raffle to win autographed merchandise every game of the series. The Futures of the Beltway Series ticket package is available now by calling the Baysox at (301) 464-4880, or online at www.BaysoxShop.com

When the Trenton Thunder, the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees, come to town July 21-24, there is a good chance right-handed pitcher Dellin Betances will take the mound. Betances, who was selected to the Eastern League All-Star Game, is rated by Baseball America as the 43rd best prospect in Minor League Baseball. After 14 starts with the Thunder, Betances was 4-3 with a 2.71 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 69.2 innings of work.

The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays come to Bowie August 5-7. Currently on the Fisher Cats roster is catcher Travis d'Arnaud, who was ranked by Baseball America as the 36th best prospect in all of Minor League Baseball. Through 63 games with the Fisher Cats, d'Arnaud was batting .305 with 19 doubles, 11 home runs and 30 RBIs. In three games against the Baysox earlier this season, d'Arnaud, who was selected to the Eastern-League All-Star Game, batted .500 and hit a home run.

Catcher Tony Sanchez and the Altoona Curve, the Double-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, travel face the Baysox August 29-31. Sanchez was rated by Baseball America as the 46th best prospect in Minor League Baseball. In 69 games with the Curve, Sanchez was batting .241 with 23 RBIs.

The Erie SeaWolves travel to Bowie September 2-5 to finish the season and with them comes right-handed pitcher Jacob Turner. Turner was selected to the Eastern League All-Star Game and is ranked by Baseball America as the 21st best prospect in Minor League Baseball. In 15 starts with the SeaWolves, Turner is 3-3 with a 3.49 ERA and has 79 strikeouts in 100.2 innings of work. In one start against the Baysox, Turner pitched eight innings and allowed two runs on five hits while striking out eight in a no decision.

Baysox Baseball - We'll Knock Your 'Sox Off. The Baysox 19th season as the class Double-A affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles is underway. Parking is free at every Baysox home game and tickets are now available at www.baysox.com.