As the Baltimore Orioles empty the nest, every passing moment sees another name flying off around the country.
Trading half of the bullpen, the Orioles have now focused on unloading other assets that were on expiring deals.
In the latest trade, according to multiple industry sources, the Orioles have dealt All-Star first baseman Ryan O’Hearn and outfielder Ramón Laureano to the San Diego Padres.
O’Hearn is a free agent at the end of the season, and Laureano has a $6.5 million club option for next season that could give the Padres extra depth in the outfield.
O’Hearn, who was acquired by the O’s in exchange for cash considerations in 2022, was nearly at the end of his career. He would get called up to the big leagues due to an injury and has remained a key member of the team since.
O’Hearn has played in 94 games this season, hitting .283 with 13 home runs and 47 runs driven in with an .884 OPS, second only to Laureano. Platooning with Ryan Mountcaslte at first base and DH, O’Hearn can even play the corner outfield if needed.
Laureano, who was a free agent signing this past winter, was having a resurgent season, providing the Orioles with a bright spot from an offseason acquisition.
The recently turned 31-year-old Laureano has played in 82 games, hitting .290 with 15 home runs and 46 RBIs while posting an OPS over .800.
The Padres will send six prospects to the Orioles, four of which were in their top 30. The names included in the deal are:
– LHP Boston Bateman: No. 4
– INF Cobb Hightower: No. 6
– RHP Tyson Neighbors: No. 12
– INF/OF Victor Figueroa: No. 29
– INF Brandon Butterworth
– RHP Tanner Smith
The headline of this return package, 19-year-old Boston Bateman, who is currently in High-A ball, stands at 6-foot-8 and has a fastball that touches 97 mph but generally sits 91-93 mph, using a 3/4 arm slot.
His arm slot allows for his curveball to take a 1-to-7 top to bottom drop with a strong spin rate and could be a plus pitch in the bigs. Developing his changeup will be a big step towards his growth.
Turning 20 in September, Bateman has the ability to expand on his physique and pick up the velocity of his fastball. Praised for his strong work ethic, he could develop into a good rotation piece if he continues that through the pros.
Cobb Hightower is the sixth ranked prospect for the Padres and is a High-A infielder, as well as a former third-round pick.
He has a strong eye for the strike zone with above average power and barrels the ball well. It is believed he could develop into an above average hitter, eventually moving to second base. His 6.6 speed in the 60-yard shows that his speed could also impact the game.
After the two top 10 prospects, the Padres also will send their No. 12 prospect in right-hander Tyson Neighbors, a 22-year-old former fourth-round pick playing in Double-A ball.
Neighbors possesses a high arm slot that produces a fastball that sits between 94-96 mph and has touched 98 mph. His plus slider hits the mid-80s, and he has a curveball touching the low-80s.
The best relief arm out of the 2024 draft, Neighbors also has a cutter that he can deploy that comes in between 89-91 mph and can become a stronger pitch with more development.
Victor Figueroa was the Padres’ No. 29 ranked prospect, who has a power bat with above average plate discipline that leads to many walks.
Figueroa struggles against offspeed pitches, but he is just 21 and has the ability to drive the ball to all fields with power. His growth will hinge on his ability to develop at first base.
The last two players included in the trade are infielder Brandon Butterworth and right-hander Tanner Smith, who were unranked in the Padres’ system. Both appear to be projects with upside added to bring more value to the package.
While O’Hearn and Luareano became fan favorites with their work ethic, gamesmanship and “always give it all” attitudes, both players will be strong additions in San Diego. While they will be missed in Baltimore, Birdland wishes nothing but success for them going forward.
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