Several Orioles prospects evacuate Florida as Hurricane Ian approaches; Ed Smith Stadium used for sandbag distribution

Several Orioles prospects attending a minicamp in Sarasota, Florida, have been evacuated as areas on the coast of Florida prepare for Hurricane Ian.

Ian struck Cuba early Tuesday as a Category 3 hurricane and is expected to hit Florida’s west coast on Wednesday, which includes Sarasota, home of the Orioles’ spring training complex. Several prospects had been training in the area.

“Our players have been safely evacuated and will return when it’s completely safe,” the Orioles said in a statement Tuesday.

Sarasota County authorities mandated some residents who live on the coast to evacuate, and public schools were closed Tuesday. The City of Sarasota has declared a state of emergency and local authorities distributed sandbags this week, which can be used to prevent flooding and divert water away from doors and foundations.

Residents were able to pick up the sandbags from three locations in the city, one of which was Ed Smith Stadium, the Orioles’ spring training home. Cars lined up for the sandbags and by 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, supplies at the ballpark had run out.

Dylan Beavers, an outfielder selected 33rd overall in the 2022 MLB draft by the Orioles, evacuated Monday, flying from Florida to Chicago to Oakland, in his native California, his father Scott Beavers said Tuesday.

“The team got him out right away,” he said.

More than a dozen prospects, including Beavers, had been participating in the minicamp, which was scheduled through Oct. 12. Jackson Holliday, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft, 42nd overall pick Max Wagner and 67th pick Jud Fabian were also there.

“[Dylan’s] never seen anything like that,” Scott Beavers said of the approaching hurricane. “We don’t get much rain here in California.”

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from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/ZO3G01I