The Orioles have signed catcher Chadwick Tromp to a minor league contract, according to his transaction log on MLB.com. Tromp elected free agency last week after he was designated for assignment by the Braves. He will report to Triple-A Norfolk. The Norfolk Tides confirmed the signing in their game notes today (h/t to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com).
Tromp, 30, began his professional career in the Reds organization in 2013 and made his big league debut with the Giants in 2020. The Braves claimed him off of waivers from the Giants in September 2021, and he made appearances for Atlanta each year from 2022-25. All told, Tromp has appeared in 61 MLB games, slashing .224/.235/.385 over 162 plate appearances. While his overall offense is substandard, he provides a bit of pop (15 career extra-base hits, .160 ISO) and plays solid defense behind the dish. He is more than qualified for Baltimore’s third-string catching role.
Barring an injury, Tromp isn’t likely to get the call-up to Camden Yards. The Orioles are well-equipped at the catcher position, with two-time All-Star Adley Rutschman as their starter and veteran slugger Gary Sánchez as their backup. However, Tromp offers a more experienced third option in the organization than David Bañuelos. Having Tromp around will also reduce any pressure the Orioles might feel to promote top catching prospect Samuel Basallo in the event of an early-season injury to Rutschman or Sánchez. Basallo, who is currently on the minor league IL himself with a hamstring injury, is an incredibly promising player. He is also just 20 years old and has only played 28 games at Triple-A. He could be ready to debut toward the end of the season, but the Orioles are unlikely to rush his development.
Incoming, juvenile comments linking this guy, Tromp, to our current President in 5…4…3…2…1 seconds.
I think you mistakenly did it first.
“Mistakenly”…No “mistak”… I’ve been here waiting for you. I knew you’d show up eventually.
“I’ve been here waiting for you. I knew you’d show up eventually.”
I love that, in your mind, acknowledging you have nothing better to do with your time is some kind of “own.”
It was a story last year when his number changed from 48 to 45
nytimes.com/athletic/5483002/2024/05/10/chadwick-t…
Must have been a slow news day
Melania is that you
I thought I heard something or another about making Baltimore great again when the signing was announced
This is what would have happened to Barron if he had been given the vaccine
Like no one has ever seen before in American history.
Trump and Tromp are not remotely similar. For one, Tromp acknowledges every loss he had in 2020.
Did Tromp play those cheating Astros in 2020?
@Wade. No, he played FOR them. It was a perfect match. =D
4-D chess huh?
Snowflake, mlb fan.
I’m surprised they linked the correct Baseball-Reference article.
There’s so many Chadwicks out there
Little known fact. In 2020, the Giants had Tromp and Pence on the roster.
Pence was in scoring position too. But responding to the chants, Tromp hung him out to dry
There is a Judas comment in there somewhere.
Sensible depth move for a guy with some big league experience.
David Banuelos does not inspire much confidence as the next man up if Adley or Sanchez is injured.
On a separate note I used to simultaneously follow the careers of L.J. Hoes and Rex Brothers. Brothers announced his retirement in 2023. Hoes is not on an active roster but has yet to announce his retirement.
I guess it’s only fitting that we have Bros before Hoes.
I was at a AAA game in 2012, and Hoes was signing autographs prior to the start. He was signing for me, and they announced him on the public address as the guy, who if he strikes out, everyone in the crowd wins a free taco. He looked at me and said “These muddafukkas ain’t gettin (S word) tonight”. He went 2-4 and put the ball in play each time.
Son of a gun should have taken one for the team!
Can’t be worse than Sanchez.
Giants legend
He was their best slugging catcher on the 2020 season
I predicted he would go to Washington.
Baltimore is the closest team to Washington,
So I was close. Tromp should be able to help the Orioles from flying too close to any windmills!
See ya later Chadwick!
Serviceable journeyman catcher
He will go team to team when they need Veteran backup.
Not a bad gig as there are many catchers that do this type of work.
Sneaky good.
Not that sneaky or good. He is good defensively and terrible offensively.
I’ve been hearing the Tromp is offensive forever.
His D should satisfy you.
Is that a shoe on his hand in the pic?
He’s a Triple-A bullpen stabilizer so that Baltimore’s next wave of pitching prospects isn’t derailed by subpar pitch calling.
I’m glad this Chadwick got his colonoscopy before Jackie Robinson Day.
This guy knows more about baseball than, than anybody. Believe me. Nobody really understands how he knows so much about baseball. He just gets it. Maybe he had an uncle that taught baseball.
Why would he elect free agency from Atlanta but sign to play in the minors in Baltimore?
James McCann is the 3rd catcher in ATL now.
McCann> Tromp.
Tromp > Banuelos
I can see the rationale.