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The Orioles introduced Wednesday that they’ve signed veteran second baseman Kolten Wong to a minor league deal. The PSI Sports activities Administration consumer will be part of their large league camp as a non-roster invitee. Baltimore additionally confirmed its previously reported signing of right-hander Julio Teheran — additionally on a minor league deal and non-roster invitation.
Wong break up the 2023 season between the Mariners and Dodgers, struggling mightily over a monthslong stint in Seattle earlier than posting sharp numbers in a tiny pattern of 34 plate appearances with the Dodgers late within the season. The now-33-year-old veteran hit simply .165/.241/.227 in 216 journeys to the plate as a Mariner — 65% worse than league common, by measure of wRC+ — earlier than batting .300/.353/.500 with a pair of homers in his transient time with Los Angeles.
Previous to final season’s uneven and usually ugly exhibiting, Wong was a comparatively constant supply of barely above-average manufacturing on the plate and standout protection. A two-time Gold Glove winner at second base, he was the sport’s premier defensive possibility on the place for just a few years. And from 2017-22, Wong tallied 2564 plate appearances between the Cardinals and Brewers, slashing a mixed .269/.349/.414 (about 7% higher than common, per wRC+).
Wong has by no means been a premier energy hitter or pace risk, however he does have 5 seasons of double-digit residence run totals and one other 5 seasons of double-digit stolen base totals. He’s fanned at a 16% clip that’s effectively south of the league common whereas strolling at a 7.7% fee that’s lower than one proportion level shy of the league imply.
Given the sheer quantity of infield expertise the Orioles possess, Wong will face an uphill battle to make the membership. Gunnar Henderson can deal with both place on the left facet of the diamond, and he’ll be joined by a mixture of ballyhooed prospects together with Jordan Westburg, Connor Norby and Jackson Holliday — the present No. 1 total prospect in baseball.
Baltimore additionally has veteran depth/utility choices within the type of Ramon Urias and Jorge Mateo, the latter of whom is seeing extra time within the outfield this spring on account of the wealth of infield expertise the O’s have in home. Nook infielder Coby Mayo can also be quickly climbing the minor league ranks and will debut this season, whereas one more prime prospect, Heston Kjerstad, can also be within the combine for at-bats alongside veteran Ryan Mountcastle at first and Anthony Santander in proper area. One factor maybe working in Wong’s favor is his left-handed bat. Every of Westburg, Norby, Mayo, Urias and Mateo bats right-handed. If the O’s desire a veteran lefty bat off the bench who can spend a while at second and supply insurance coverage for his or her bevy of proficient however inexperienced infielders, Wong may match the invoice.
