The Orioles have released utilityman Stevie Wilkerson, the club informed reporters (including Rich Dubroff of Baltimore Baseball). He’d been with their Triple-A affiliate in Norfolk after being passed through outright waivers last month.
The move ends Wilkerson’s seven-year tenure in the O’s organization, which began when he was selected in the eighth round of the 2014 draft. Wilkerson reached the big leagues in 2018 and appeared in parts of three MLB seasons with Baltimore. Altogether, the switch-hitter tallied 486 plate appearances as an Oriole and put up a .210/.268/.340 line with ten home runs, with the bulk of that playing time coming in 2019.
Wilkerson’s calling card is his defensive versatility. The 29-year-old has started games at second and third base and in all three outfield positions. He’ll now hit the free agent market in search of a new organization, where teams looking to add to their position player depth could bring Wilkerson aboard via minor league contract.
I wish Dr. Poo Poo well.. Stevie was a lot of fun to watch and has had some amazing, but not regular appearances on the lineup, both due to similar talents or injuries. Can’t wait to see where he’ll end up next.
Dr. Poo Poo ??
The very best of good fortune for you Stevie!
You brought fun and passion Orioles baseball in your time here.
Yes he did. That catch to end the 2019 season was one of the best catches of the year.
Of any year.
Loved the interviews he gives…very demonstrative. Coaching in his future maybe?
Hopefully.
Him and Caleb Joseph.
Really no room for him with Jorge Mateo coming on board. Os are a better hitting team than people think, not that Stevie just doesn’t have a spot because there are 3 all stars blocking him, but there is value in defensive versatility. I hope he’s not done in the show. Enjoyed watching him play
35% below league average w the stick and he doesn’t play SS.
Coaching? I could see it. Doubt he has too many days in the bigs left though.
Should’ve included his pitching in the write-up. His 59 mph “slow ball” was nasty.
Or it could have pointed out his career ERA
Pretty much toast, should retire unless he wants to play in AAA
Stevie Wilkerson is the definition of ‘light-hitting utility player’.
Phillies will sign him they are always looking to sign old AAA infielders for some reason.