The Orioles announced today that they’ve outrighted infielder Richard Urena to Triple-A Norfolk after he cleared waivers. That means he’s no longer a member of the 40-man roster, but he’ll nonetheless be in big league camp as a non-roster invitee.
Urena had been designated for assignment on Friday when the O’s claimed Andrew Velazquez, another infielder. Urena will have a chance to compete with Velazquez and others for a reserve role with the Major League club, which currently has Hanser Alberto and Jose Iglesias installed as the starting middle infield. There’s a whole host of middle infielders with MLB experience—including the likes of Stevie Wilkerson, Richie Martin, and Pat Valaika—in competition for a bench spot on the Baltimore roster.
Urena, who came up as a shortstop, is a capable second and third baseman, and even occasionally suited up in left field for the Blue Jays last year. After parts of three seasons in the Majors, his offensive performance has not been especially impressive, as he’s notched a .636 OPS with just two home runs through 263 plate appearances. Urena spent the majority of the 2019 season at the Triple-A level, posting a .274/.314/.393 batting line with six home runs.
wow really? you’d think someone would want him
Not for a 40 man spot, apparently.
Not for a 40 man spot, apparently.
Urena can play in the big leagues. He’ll get back there eventually.
Except he can’t hit or take a walk. But hey, he’s a big leaguer because scouteyes
Yes. He should decide to walk more. Especially since he can’t hit. Which may be why he doesn’t walk more. Because he can’t hit and pitchers aren’t afraid to fill the strike zone up. Almost like one things causes the other.
Besides, Joe Panik and Brandon Drury are much better than Urena.
Well, considering they’re MLB players and Urena isn’t even on the lowly Orioles 40 man roster, yes, you can make an argument that Panik and Drury are better than Urena.
Brandon Drury has been one of the most overrated players in the major leagues since he hit the majors. He’s been given a million chances to not produce. And twice has been dealt as a valuable piece.
He’s got a better gig than Puig
He’s out of options, and that kills him. Still, if I was a bottom feeder with roster space, I would have claimed him and tried to run him through waivers, then keep him for depth. There are worse utility guys out there than Urena.
Yeah but his name is Dick Urena
Lmfao!
Ole Dick Piss
And we are in a “rebuilding” plus dudes young man. I think he is useful. And give him a chance. Back in the day, they gave all them bum a$$ loser pitchers chances. Daniel Cabrera, Ponson, etc. Just naming a few. And then giving Davis that monster contract haha. Ughhh GOOOO O’S LOL!!! This coach will he gone soon. They need too Build around Trey.
Mancini is a complimentary piece. They need to pre-build in anticipation of the arrival of that Aryan catching prospect of theres.
Theirs *
Ok Monty I’ll bite. What is it with you? I assume you’re talking about Adley Rutschman with your (Aryan catcher) comment. Why is everything racial ma’am? What does it really matter if the guy is black Asian Dominican or white???
Build around a player who will be traded this July if he performs like last year. Not a smart decision. The Orioles have a lot of younger better talent to build a future around. Thanks for the suggestion but no thanks.
Isn’t that exactly what Baltimore did?
You answered your own question. A bottom feeder team did claim him and ran him through waivers. The Orioles
So the O’s DFA-ed Urena to make room for Andrew Velasquez, an understandable move; Velasquez has significantly more speed, and is CF capable. My point was that some other bottom feeder, who doesn’t have the waiver-wire priority the O’s have, might want to take a flyer on Urena. I kinda figured someone who grab Velasquez, who has his uses in a 26th kind of guy way.
Urena is still very young. I’m surprised someone didnt try and pick him up. I think he was a top prospect just recently.
Urena is still very young. I’m surprised someone didnt try and pick him up. I think he was a top prospect just recently.
He was, thanks to the Blue Jays abysmal farm system 5 years ago. Then Vlad, Bo, Pearson and company drove him down the list along with his inability to hit in the minors. But, he can play SS and the Blue Jays should have kept him. If he could hit he would start.
I like him. No I don’t. Yes I do. He’s cut. Sign him up!
ERA of 36.00 and a WHIP of 5.00.
oof