Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 65 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

Willems was a two-way player as a Texas high schooler who appeared to be en route to Texas Christian for college ball before the Orioles swooped in and made him an eighth-round Draft pick in 2021. Baltimore kept Willems from heading to campus with an overslot deal of $1 million. He didn’t hit much at Single-A Delmarva in his first full season of pro ball, but things began clicking back at that level in 2023, when Willems hit his way to High-A Aberdeen and socked 17 homers between the two levels.

Left-handed-hitting catchers are always a coveted demographic, and Willems brings youth and tremendous raw power to the profile. He is strong and stocky, using a simple swing to drop his barrel on pitches to drive them with authority, especially ones low in the zone. His results improved this year with a revamped approach and better pitch recognition skills. He also walked more, making him a productive hitter despite ample swing-and-miss. That element might always be a part of Willems’ game, but he also has a chance to grow into plus power by the time he’s fully developed.

Willems had a strong enough arm as a high schooler to generate 90 mph velocity readings from the mound, and it’s still a weapon for him behind the plate even as questions remain about his receiving and blocking. He improved in both of those areas in 2023 while also seeing time at first base. If he continues his development behind the plate and with his approach in the box, he could develop into a power-hitting backstop at the highest level.

Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Arm: 65 | Field: 45 | Overall: 40

A former two-way player as a high schooler in Texas, it seemed like Willems was mostly likely heading to Texas Christian for college ball. The Orioles swooped in and took him in the eighth round of the 2021 Draft, giving him an overslot deal of $1 million to keep him from heading to campus. He didn’t perform all that well over his first season-plus of pro ball, but some things started to click in 2023 when he hit his way from Single-A Delmarva up to High-A Aberdeen.

A left-handed-hitting catcher, always a coveted demographic, Willems is strong and stocky and full of tremendous raw power. This season was the first he started to tap into it, with a vastly improved approach at the plate and better pitch recognition making a huge difference. More walks and a commitment to a gameplan has made him a productive hitter, with the Orioles thinking he might have plus power when all is said and done.

While he’s always had a very strong arm -- one that pumped low-90s fastballs from the mound in his prep days -- there were some questions about whether Willems could stick behind the plate and he continues to see time at first base. But just like with his offensive game, Willems’ receiving has taken a step forward, giving him the chance to be a power-hitting backstop in the future.

Awards

SAL Player of the Month

Month	Team
04/2024

SAL Player of the Week

Week	Team
04/14/2024

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	09/25/2024	C Creed Willems assigned to Surprise Saguaros.
	08/27/2024	C Creed Willems assigned to Bowie Baysox from Aberdeen IronBirds.
	08/07/2024	Aberdeen IronBirds activated C Creed Willems from the 7-day injured list.
	07/09/2024	Aberdeen IronBirds placed C Creed Willems on the 7-day injured list.
	03/07/2024	Baltimore Orioles Prospects activated C Creed Willems.
	02/26/2024	C Creed Willems assigned to Baltimore Orioles.
	05/30/2023	C Creed Willems assigned to Aberdeen IronBirds from Delmarva Shorebirds.
	05/23/2023	Delmarva Shorebirds activated C Creed Willems from the 7-day injured list.
	05/13/2023	Delmarva Shorebirds placed C Creed Willems on the 7-day injured list.
	03/13/2023	C Creed Willems roster status changed by Baltimore Orioles.
	04/28/2022	C Creed Willems assigned to Delmarva Shorebirds from FCL Orioles Black.
	04/03/2022	C Creed Willems and assigned to Baltimore Orioles.
	08/26/2021	C Creed Willems and assigned to FCL Orioles Orange from FCL Orioles Black.
	08/24/2021	C Creed Willems assigned to FCL Orioles Black from FCL Orioles Orange.
	08/16/2021	C Creed Willems assigned to FCL Orioles Orange.
	07/23/2021	Baltimore Orioles signed C Creed Willems.
	07/06/2021	C Creed Willems and assigned to College Workout.
	06/18/2020	C Creed Willems assigned to PG National 10 - Red.
	06/18/2020	C Creed Willems assigned to PG National 10 - Red.