The Orioles are making moves, and their latest brings in some intriguing upside. Baltimore has acquired third baseman Bryan Ramos from the White Sox in exchange for cash considerations, and in a corresponding roster move, they’ve designated infielder/outfielder Weston Wilson for assignment.
Let’s break down what this means.
Ramos is a 23-year-old right-handed bat out of Cuba, and while he hasn’t exactly lit up the majors in his limited time, there’s more to his profile than meets the eye. He was designated for assignment by Chicago last week following the club’s signing of reliever Seranthony Domínguez, and now he finds himself with a new opportunity in Baltimore.
The surface-level numbers in the big leagues aren’t going to turn heads - Ramos has hit just .198 with a .244 on-base percentage and a .333 slugging mark across 36 games over two seasons. Last year, he only appeared in four games, going 2-for-12 with a pair of doubles and two RBIs. But that’s a small sample size, and the Orioles are clearly looking beyond the stat line.
At Triple-A Charlotte, Ramos showed a bit more pop. In 105 games, he slashed .216/.705 OPS with 17 doubles, a triple, 16 home runs, and 51 RBIs.
Those numbers don’t scream “can’t-miss prospect,” but they do hint at some raw power and run production potential. Over six minor league seasons, he’s posted a .249/.336/.421 line in 560 games - not elite, but certainly serviceable, especially for a player still in his early 20s.
Ramos also brings some positional flexibility. While he’s primarily a third baseman, he’s logged time at first base, second base, and even left field in the minors. That kind of versatility could come in handy, especially as teams look to round out their bench with players who can move around the diamond.
One important note: Ramos is out of options. That means the Orioles can’t stash him in the minors without risking losing him on waivers. If he’s going to stick, it’ll have to be on the 26-man roster - or he could be a short-term depth play while the front office continues to shuffle pieces.
As for Wilson, his time in Baltimore might be over before it really began. The Orioles claimed him off waivers from the Phillies just a couple of weeks ago, on January 22. Now, he’s been designated for assignment to make room for Ramos on the 40-man roster, which remains full.
This kind of move is typical for this time of year - the back end of the roster is constantly in flux as teams try to find the right mix of talent and flexibility heading into spring training. Whether Ramos is a long-term piece or just passing through, he’s the latest bet the Orioles are making as they continue to build depth and explore upside plays.