Orioles sign 12 to Minor League contracts

Orioles sign 12 to Minor League contracts

November 26th, 2019

BALTIMORE -- The Orioles announced a series of signings on Tuesday made with an eye toward improving their organizational depth, inking outfielder and 11 others to Minor League contracts. Nine of the players signed, including infielders and Ryan Ripken, spent at least part of 2019 with the organization.

The newcomers are infielder Malquín Canelo, who played last season in the Phillies system, and infielder Ángelo Mora and left-hander , who come from the Dodgers Minor League ranks. A former second-round Draft pick who debuted with the 2016 World Series champion Cubs, Zastrynzny has ties to Orioles skipper Brandon Hyde from the time they shared in Chicago. He last appeared in the Majors in 2018 and owns a career 4.41 ERA across 18 MLB appearances.

Williams, 28, appeared in 11 September games for the Orioles last season before shoulder and knee injuries ended his season. He hit .308 with 18 home runs and a .848 OPS over 121 games at Triple-A Norfolk, his first year in the Orioles system following stints with the Yankees and Reds.

Though No. 13 prospect seems in line to receive the lion’s share of the center field reps at Norfolk, the Orioles had a need for depth at the position with Austin Hays set to graduate to the Majors full-time, something of a wild card and prospects Zach Watson and Kyle Stowers still in the low Minors.

Rondón, 25, was claimed on waivers from the White Sox in July and played one game for the Orioles before finishing the year at Norfolk. That’s also where lefty , catcher , righty -- all re-signed Tuesday -- finished the 2019 season. Of the 12 players signed Tuesday, five -- Williams, Rondón, Zastrynzny, Hunter Cervenka and infielder -- sport at least some big league experience.

The son of Orioles legend and Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., Ryan Ripken, 26, returns for his fourth year in the organization. He hit .276/.312/.409 with six homers across 78 games between Class A Advanced Fredrick and Double-A Bowie in 2019, finishing the year at Bowie.

Rounding out the 12, right-hander Cristian Alvarado and catcher Daniel Fajardo were also signed by the club Tuesday.