The Yankees are in agreement with infielder Jonathan Ornelas on a minor league contract, as first reflected on the MLB.com transaction tracker. According to Francys Romero, he’ll get a non-roster invitation to MLB Spring Training and could opt out midway through the season if he’s not on the 40-man roster.
Ornelas divided this past season between the Rangers and Braves. He spent most of the year in Triple-A, where he limped to a .196/.295/.303 batting line in nearly 400 plate appearances. Ornelas combined for six big league appearances and has gotten into 32 MLB contests over the past three seasons. He’s a .208 hitter with a .263 on-base percentage and no home runs in that limited body of work.
A former third-round draft choice, Ornelas hasn’t been much of a hitter in the minor leagues either. He owns a .233/.331/.331 slash over parts of three Triple-A seasons. The Yankees are signing him for his glove and defensive versatility. Ornelas has logged more than 3500 minor league innings at shortstop. He has ample second and third base experience and has gotten some work in center and left field.
Anthony Volpe is likely to begin the season on the injured list as he works back from shoulder surgery. José Caballero will enter the year as the starting shortstop barring an offseason acquisition. Braden Shewmake, Jorbit Vivas and Oswaldo Cabrera are their current backup infielders. Shewmake is the only natural shortstop of the group, and he’s coming off a .244/.318/.362 showing in Triple-A. They’ll probably add at least one more established depth infielder, but it’s a decent landing spot for Ornelas as he tries to battle for an Opening Day job.
Why? I guess this guy is the answer with Grisham. Who needs guys like Bellinger and Bregman?
sadly, this is not sarcasm…
Because they need guys to play middle infield in Scranton and this is the kind of guy you get to be a AAA utility infielder?
Yes, the New York Yankee’s off-season is now officially over. Let the games begin!
I was just thinking this very same thing.
Brian Cashman is concussed.
Your move MLB.
I honestly never heard of this guy. I’d bring back Rosario 2 years 5 Million.
What I’ve seen of his Baseball Reference page, there doesn’t seem to be any upside with this guy. Rosario would be much better.
Tis the season for simpletons to wildly overreact to mundane, simple and routine non roster depth signings again I see. Falalalalaaaa…lalalala!
You must be a lot of fun at parties.
Ya, I’m a riot and an absolute blast to be around. Thanks for the lovely compliment kind sir!