The Baltimore Orioles’ catching position has been very streaky this year.
We have seen four different catchers play this year in orange and black, with the most consistent presence being that of former All-Star Adley Rutschman.
However, after many injuries, the Orioles decided it was time to bring in another veteran, as multiple industry sources have announced the signing of veteran backstop Jacob Stallings to a minor league deal.
Stallings was originally selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the seventh round of the 2012 MLB Draft out of North Carolina. Stallings played just 24 games between the years 2016-2018, when he collected 19 hits and 10 RBIs.
Stallings got his break in 2019, when he carried a .707 OPS in 71 games while hitting six home runs. He finally had a breakout year in 2021 when he slashed .246/.335/.369 with a .704 OPS in 112 games.
Stallings would have a career-high 53 RBIs and collect 92 hits, including 20 doubles that season with Pittsburgh. He would also be the National League Gold Glove winner at the catcher position.
Stallings would be traded to the Miami Marlins in the offseason. He would statistically decline but would still have a 99.8 fielding percentage. After two years with Miami, he would sign with the Colorado Rockies in 2024, where his offense would improve once again.
He would post both a career-high .810 OPS and nine home runs last season but would unfortunately be released on June 6 of this year.
Stallings is here to provide veteran depth as we move forward without knowing an exact timeline for Rutschman to return from his left oblique injury and with Maverick Handley being out with a concussion after colliding with Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm during Sunday’s game.
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