The Orioles released Kyle Hudson, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports. Baltimore had designated the outfielder for assignment on January 10th to create 40-man roster space for Wei-Ying Chen.
Hudson, 25, posted a .296/.375/.336 line with 41 stolen bases in 485 minor league plate appearances across three levels in 2011. He also appeared in 14 Major League games for the Orioles as a September callup. The 25-year-old has played left and center field since the Orioles selected him in the fourth round of the 2008 draft.
Oops, nevermind.
lol
No power of any kind from this kid–not even doubles. But he steals bases at a good clip, draws walks 11% of the time, and puts up a nice OBP. I don’t know what his rep is defensively, but if he’s decent, he seems like a reasonable NRI as a possible 5th OF.
I hope the giants get him
Pirates pirates pirates! Please jump on this opportunity. You can never have too much outfield coverage. This guy impresses me, and I think he has what it takes to become a fixture in the big leagues.
WATCH OUT! they are making room for Fielder
my thoughts exactly
Baltimore had designated the outfielder for assignment on January 10th to create 40-man roster space for Wei-Ying Chen.
I still dont see why the Orioles released someone young with some form of talent. They really couldnt work with him?
I dont understand why you would release a guy who has numbers in the minors like this guys has. The Orioles are in need of a LF and a leadoff hitter with Brian Roberts presumabley out of the picture for the year. There has to be more to the story than this, because you dont just release a player like this for no reason.
Apparently there is some rule that states a guy can’t be outrighted if he was added to the 40 man right before a rule V draft that he was eligible for….or something to that effect.
he is young too. why not a minor league deal for this kid? he does not seem that bad.
Yes, because the Orioles have a keen eye for talent and never miss anything. That’s why they’re so successful.
(Sorry, O’s fans… just making a point.)
No one said the guy was the next Kenny Lofton, but might it be worth it for a team low on OF depth to give him an NRI just to see what he’s got? I don’t see why not.
Not a single homerun in almost 1,400 minor league ABs. Career minor league SLG is lower than his OBP.
What’s hard to understand is how he managed to start in LF for the Orioles.
Apparently the rule states that because he was put on the 40-man roster, brought up to the show, and then kept on the 40-man roster for the Rule V draft, he could not be taken off the 40-man roster now w/out being released. The rule is designed to keep clubs from hoarding talent and manipulating the Rule V draft. It seems a bit short sighted on the part of the O’s to have not exposed Hudson to Rule V draft, given the unlikelihood that he would be on a 25-man roster for the whole season. Or to keep him on the 40 man roster until 20 days prior to opening day. But like others are saying, already @age 25, and not hitting .300 or for power in the minors, its unlikely he will become the kind of player you’d kick yourself about letting go.
“What’s hard to understand is how he managed to start in LF for the Orioles.”
It’s the Orioles, not the Yankees…
I’d love to see the Mets take a flyer on him. They have very, very little speed on the roster. Plus he has to provide more to the team than likely 5th OF Mike Baxter.