First baseman/outfielder Rangel Ravelo has signed with the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball, according to reporters Francys Romero and Yusseff Diaz (Twitter link). Ravelo had previously been on a minor league contract with the Dodgers, but the two sides worked out a deal for Orix to purchase Ravelo’s rights earlier this week.
As noted by Romero, there was some expectation that Ravelo would receive a promotion to the Dodgers’ big league roster, considering that Ravelo was crushing Triple-A pitching. The 29-year-old had a .407/.504/.758 slash line and eight homers over 113 plate appearances for the Oklahoma City affiliate, though the Dodgers didn’t turn to Ravelo even after multiple injuries created opening on the MLB roster.
Ravelo will now head to Japan for a new chapter in his 12-year professional career. A sixth-round pick for the White Sox in the 2010 draft, Ravelo was part of one of the more notable trades in recent Athletics history — Ravelo, Marcus Semien, Chris Bassitt, and Josh Phegley all went to Oakland in December 2014 while Jeff Samardzija and Michael Ynoa were sent to Chicago. Ravelo didn’t reach the majors until 2019 as a member of the Cardinals, however, and Ravelo hit .189/.250/.351 over 84 PA with St. Louis in 2019-20. After being non-tendered by the Cards last winter, Ravelo signed on with Los Angeles.
best of luck to him, would’ve liked to see him with LA but hopefully he can rake with Adam Jones in Orix
now he can Rangel buffalo
He was so close to initially going to Japan before signing with the Dodgers in the offseason.
If the Angels never cut Pujols, I bet he gets a shot as a platoon bat & backup 1B.
17 BB’s, 11 K’s, 8 HR was a nice start.
Hopefully he continues his success in Japan.
Why do Cubans who leave STL seem like a category to find decent talent.
Arrozarena, Diaz, Garcia they shed Cuban talent
Hopefully Oviedo isn’t next. Has looked very promising recently.
Instead, the Dodgers are sticking with Raley and Peters………..
They kinda both suck at their bat right now, but Peters defense is a plus IMHO. He’s a better defender at outfield than Raley and Mckinstry
So now he’s Ravelo the Buffalo.
Friedman does trades in bunches.
I wonder if more are coming.
And since he is the only player on the team with the name “Rangel”,
That makes him …………………………………………………………………….
THE LONE RANGEL
Rangel Ravelo will probably be replacing Steven Moya
He was also ready to sign with someone in Korea or Japan before covid last year but the Cardinals worked out something with him.
Great trade for the A’s.