The Orioles continue to work the margins of their 40-man roster with the kind of precision and aggressiveness that’s become their calling card. On Tuesday, the club officially outrighted utility man Weston Wilson, just days after designating him for assignment. That move came as part of a flurry of roster reshuffling, which also saw Baltimore lose third baseman Bryan Ramos to the Cardinals via waivers.
At the moment, the Orioles’ 40-man roster sits at 39, giving them a little breathing room as Spring Training approaches. But let’s unpack what’s really going on here.
Wilson, 31, was the odd man out when the Orioles acquired Ramos from the White Sox in a minor trade involving cash considerations. The plan seemed pretty clear: Baltimore likely hoped to sneak both players through waivers and stash them in Triple-A Norfolk as depth pieces. That’s not uncommon for this front office, which has developed a reputation as one of the most active in the league when it comes to churning the waiver wire.
Wilson was actually a recent addition himself, having been claimed from the Phillies at the end of January. His MLB resume includes parts of three seasons in Philadelphia, where he appeared in 100 games and logged 245 plate appearances.
He’s slashed .242/.328/.428 with nine home runs - solid numbers, especially considering his usage. The Phillies deployed him strategically, with nearly 60% of his at-bats coming against left-handed pitching.
That platoon advantage helped boost his production, but also speaks to how teams view his role: a right-handed bat who can do damage in the right matchups.
In Triple-A, Wilson has shown a bit more pop and patience over five seasons, compiling a .247/.339/.462 line across nearly 1,700 plate appearances. That’s the kind of profile that makes him a valuable depth option - not necessarily an everyday big leaguer, but someone who can step in and contribute if injuries hit or a roster spot opens up.
Because this is Wilson’s first career outright and he doesn’t yet have three years of MLB service time, he’ll remain in the organization. He’s expected to receive a non-roster invite to big league camp, where he’ll get a chance to make his case for a return to the 26-man roster.
Still, the path back to the majors won’t be easy. The Orioles’ bench is already heavily right-handed, and the recent addition of infielder Blaze Alexander - who’s out of minor league options - only tightens the competition. Alexander brings versatility and youth, which could give him a leg up in the spring.
For Wilson, it’s another chapter in the life of a journeyman - bouncing between organizations, looking for the right fit, and trying to capitalize on the next opportunity. He’s done enough in Triple-A to stay on the radar, and if he can show well in Sarasota, he might just play his way back into the Orioles’ plans.