The Orioles as an organization have started August off on many roster changes.
From the news of Trey Mancini and Jorge López to the four different callups in the minor leagues, let’s break it down a little more.
John Rhodes
First, congratulations to the Orioles’ No. 22 prospect, 21-year-old outfielder John Rhodes, for being called up to the Double-A Bowie Baysox.
Coming out of the University of Kentucky, Rhodes was drafted in the third round of the 2021 draft. He would spend the rest of the 2021 season going between rookie ball and Single-A Delmarva.
Before the 2022 season, it would be announced that Rhodes would start for the High-A Aberdeen IronBirds. For the IronBirds, Rhodes would slash .259/.389/.428 with a .817 OPS.
He would end up having 52 hits, 15 doubles and five home runs. He also had 35 walks and 16 stolen bases over 58 games.
Rhodes will join an absolutely stacked outfield, headlined by No. 3 prospect Colton Cowser and No. 16 prospect Hudson Haskin.
Gregori Vasquez
Bowie also has another stud on the rise to join their team, but this one is a pitcher: 24-year-old right-hander, Gregori Vasquez.
Gregori would start his minor league career after being signed in 2014 to the Cleveland Guardians. He would eventually become an Oriole in 2021 after being released by Cleveland and would finish his 2021 season with Delmarva.
As well with Rhodes, Gregori would make the Aberdeen Opening Day roster for the 2022 MiLB Season. In 20 games, Vasquez would go 0-0 in 38.1 innings, giving up 34 hits, 11 runs, 10 earned, for a ERA of 2.35. He would also walk 10 batters and punch out 25.
Shayne Fontana
Well, one outfielder will be joining Bowie, and one is leaving Bowie, as 25-year-old outfielder Shayne Fontana has officially been called up to join the Triple-A Norfolk Tides.
Fontana was a 23rd round pick in the 2019 Orioles draft class. One might say that we have found a lucky pot of gold, as Fontana would spend his first year going between rookie ball and hitting as high as High-A.
Fontana would first be introduced to the Baysox during the 2021 season, where he would get the call up from Aberdeen. After a struggling start in Bowie, things were not looking up for the potential rising star.
Fontana would spend most of the season with the Baysox, other then some rehab starts due to injury. This season, Fontana has slashed .278/.417/.481 with a .898 OPS.
He would have 37 hits with six doubles and seven home runs. Combine that with 27 RBIs and 27 walks with some stellar defense, Fontana really proved himself.
Fontana will join a Norfolk outfield filled with absolute studs, including No. 7 prospect Kyle Stowers, former top-30 prospect Robert Neustrom, experienced DJ Stewart and former Baysox star, Johnny Rizer.
Yusniel Díaz
The final big roster movement, other than obviously the Mancini and López trades, is the Mancini roster spot filler. After many long seasons, Yusniel Díaz has finally made the Baltimore Orioles roster.
Díaz would begin his career in 2015, when he was signed to the Los Angeles Dodgers as an international free agent. But what most people know him for is him actually leaving the Dodgers.
In 2018, Díaz was the main piece heading back to Baltimore for All-Star third baseman, Manny Machado.
Díaz would start his Orioles minor league career in Double-A Bowie and would eventually work his way up the ladder. After spending time in big league spring training, Díaz would start the 2022 MiLB season with the Norfolk Tides.
This season, Díaz would slash .234/.338/.339 with a .677 OPS. He would have 29 hits, four doubles and three home runs, paired with 15 RBIs and 19 walks.
The Orioles organization has been busy to start the month of August with roster moves, and the hope of seeing some big prospects soon might become a reality.
What roster move are excited for heading into the first week of August? Let us know in the comments below! And make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook and Twitter, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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