The Timber Rattlers’ Logan Gillaspie pitches against the South Bend Cubs Monday, July 18, 2019 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wis. Danny Damiani/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin Apc Rattlers 071819 123 The Timber Rattlers Logan Gillaspie pitches against the South Bend Cubs Monday, July 18, 2019 at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wis. Danny Damiani/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin
Through all the speculation about additions to the 40-man roster to protect prospects from the Rule 5 draft, one name wasn’t mentioned, Logan Gillaspie. The 24-year-old right-hander was added while players more well known were not.
Gillaspie and another right-handed reliever, Félix Bautista, join four players who were expected to be added — left-handed starters DL Hall and Kevin Smith, right-handed starter Kyle Bradish and infielder Terrin Vavra.
Friday’s moves put the 40-man roster at 39.
It’s the second straight year that executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias has added six minor leaguers to the 40-man roster. Of the six, only Hall was drafted by the team.
The Orioles’ bullpen had an awful 5.70 ERA in 2021. Only Cole Sulser, who had a 2.70 earned-run average, had an ERA under 4. Those most often used in 2021 were Sulser, left-handers Paul Fry and Tanner Scott, and right-handers Dillon Tate, Tyler Wells and Jorge López, who was much more effective in the bullpen than he was a starter.
Fry, López and Scott must be offered contracts by December 2nd.
The Orioles also have Joey Krehbiel, Brooks Kriske and Isaac Mattson, who combined for 13 appearances in 2021. Bryan Baker, who was added on a waiver claim from Toronto, will get a chance.
Marcos Diplán and Spenser Watkins, who were re-signed to minor league contracts, and Travis Lakins, who had elbow surgery in July, also will be in spring training, as will Bautista and Gillaspie.
Bautista throws 100 mph. This past season, he struck out nearly 15 batters per nine innings but walked nearly six, and the Oriioles want to see how hard he can throw against major league hitters in Sarasota.
Gillaspie, who was not drafted after playing at Oxnard College, spent 2017 playing independent ball and was signed by Milwaukee. In 2018 and 2019, Gillaspie played in the Brewers’ organization.
He was signed by the Orioles this past spring. At High-A Aberdeen, Gillaspie was 0-2 with a 3.77 ERA in 11 games. At Double-A Bowie, he was 1-1 with a 5.60 ERA in 15 games.
The Orioles sent Gillaspie to the Arizona Fall League along with left-handed reliever Nick Vespi, who was thought to have a decent chance of being added to the 40-man roster.
Now, Vespi, former No. 1 draft choice Cody Sedlock, infielders Patrick Dorrian, Cadyn Grenier and Adam Hall, and outfielder Robert Neustrom will be eligible for the December 8th Rule 5 draft. I thought Neustrom had a shot at being protected, but it’s hard for a team to draft and keep outfielders, so I’m guessing they think he either won’t get drafted or if he is, he’ll end up back with the Orioles.
Hall has been superseded by Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg, who have already advanced farther. He didn’t show much power in 2021. I think he’s still a prospect, but the odds of a team drafting and keeping him on a major league prospect seem low.
The addition of Lucius Fox, an infielder acquired on waivers from Kansas City on Friday, was surprising. Like Jorge Mateo, another waiver claim, Fox has terrific speed. He stole 19 bases in 21 tries in 57 games for Triple-A Omaha, and joins Mateo, Jahmai Jones, Richie Martin and Ramón Urias in the middle infield mix. Fox has played more shortstop than anywhere else, but in 2021 began playing second base, too.
Vavra, who played more second base than anywhere else, played just 48 games this past season because of a back injury, and needs time at Triple-A Norfolk before joining the Orioles.
There will be other moves before the Rule 5 draft, and it’s likely the Orioles will go into the draft with at least two openings on the 40-man roster.
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Hard to add a solid opinion on all of these moves and shuffling. No matter how much we fans claim to know we really "don't know". Do like the idea of Bautista(now THERE'S a baseball name)being a late inning flame thrower. Also hoping a new catcher tandem of Rutchsman/Vet. will have a positive affect on the pitching.The addition of Lucius Fox(just hope he's not just another Mateo) might eliminate one Rule 5 pick. Very curious to see with Rodriguez,Mateo,Urias,Fox,Martin in the fold if they'll still seek a vet SS (Iglesias,Galvis--again). Thinking here is they will
Have to agree with Orial that’s it’s really hard to have an opinion on all the shuffling right now. I saw the Yankees designated Rougned Odor and wonder if it makes any sense to “kick the tires” on him.
Odor was linked with the Orioles in 2021 before he went to the Yankees. He doesn't hit for average, hits some homers, strikes out a lot. You could do worse, I suppose.
Only thing I’ve ever liked about him was when he clocked Bautista…go O’s…
Thumbs up!!!
When it comes to Odor, just say NO! I’m a Rangers ticket holder so saw him play a lot. He had one good year otherwise he wouldn’t still be in the majors.
Why protect Gillaspie and not Vespi? Sedlock could be a long arm for the bullpen too. Maybe they’re guessing teams will bypass him as they have in the past.
Tidewater?? Don't you mean Norfolk?
Changed, thank you.
You’re showing your age Rich.
I don’t get protecting Gillaspie. Vespi and Neustrom should’ve been added. Neustrom could’ve easily been added. Could’ve dfa Stewart. He probably won’t even be ready for spring training. Why are they still keeping Martin? If I’m the orioles and Frazier medicals check out I’m taking a flier.
I'm sure Clint Frazier will be a popular name. Will be interesting to see if the Orioles claim him if he goes on waivers. More likely, Yankees will make a trade for him.
Spot on 20. I posted the same yesterday.
MLB trader rumors, new post, can we get excited about the Orioles yet? NO! They even suggest we may sign some free agents??? Where do they get that idea? Are they not familiar with our ownership? Pure wishful thinking on the free agents!
It's fun to speculate about the bottom ten on the roster, but the real issues are with the top ten, who actually play every day. Players get to qualify for Rule 5 by developing slowly or by being advanced slowly and are rarely ready to jump into a regular major league position. Only trades and free agent signings will improve the top ten.
IMPORTANT FACT: Of the six protected, DL Hall was the only one DRAFTED by the Orioles!!! Goes to show the Minor League System was left IN SHAMBLES by Dan Duquette!!!
Dario, I pointed that only Hall was drafted by the Orioles in the article.
Who said you didn't?????
Just making my point for the shambles DD left this organization!!!
Wow…go O’s…
I'm surprised he didn't just cut & paste it.
Good chance he did!!!!!!!!?????…..go O’s…
DDDD! SHAMBLES 100%!
What are shambles, anyway?
Shambalee, Shamballo, Shambalaya ..shamballa'
I don't know what it its,but there's a road to it somewhere.
Nothing productive to say as usual!!!
Why don't you do everyone a favor and cut and paste your mouth shut!!!
For you slow learners - "shambles is chaotic, disorderly, out of hand, and off the hook — a major, five-alarm mess".
Lmao
Shambles - "When shambles refers to a place, it typically indicates that it's a mess or, more seriously, that it's a scene of destruction, wreckage, or even carnage. When it refers to a situation, it indicates that it has fallen into chaos. The word is especially used in the phrase in shambles or in a shambles."
Synonym for shambles, anything #1 tries to write…lol…go O’s…
Dan Duquette left this team in (here's your synonyms)
1) shambles
2) disarray
3) chaos
4) disorder
5) all the above!!!
I pick all the above!!!
Mike Elias will lead this team in
ANTONYMS for shambles or opposite in meaning to shambles for you slow learners:
1) calm
2) harmony
3) method
4) order
5) organization
6) system
7) World Series winner!!!
For me all the above!!!
Obviously not a Three Dog Night fan.
The road to Shambala.
Somebody got it!
So, he's no Liar!
I guess my “humor” is a bit too nuanced for some here. I knew the definition of the word. I enjoy etymology. Just a strange word, that’s all. (And I like three dog night, too)
I didn’t need an apoplectic screed regarding synonyms and antonyms. Good grief man.
He never gets it.
If that’s a picture of Gillaspie up top, he looks as old as me. (I remember the ‘66 World Series)
He looks like Al Bundy!
Ha!! A cross between Bundy and Rob Dyrdek of Ridiculousness.
Spot on Al Bundy!
O's talent evaluators must see something "special" in Gallespie. A "lightning arm"? I don't know. Never seen the guy pitch. Vespi's numbers are significantly better. Guess I'll just have to trust Elias & company.
There's no one I"m really upset they didn't protect, Neustrom is pretty meh still. But confused by Gillespie. Hopefully he does well next year I guess!
Throwing this out there to anyone, as I’m curious what people think. If you’re a player, especially on a bad team, would you rather be put on their 40 man roster or be left off if it meant being chosen as a Rule 5 pick? On the 40 man roster you can assume the team is serious about you and on a bad team you might get promoted to majors sooner. If chosen as a Rule 5 pick you’re guaranteed to stay in the majors for a full season if you do well enough. I think I’d like to take my chances as a Rule 5 pick than perhaps be bounced around all season long. Curious what others think.
Contenders generally don’t take Rule 5 players. Many players who are taken in the Rule 5 draft aren’t ready for the majors and would be better off in the minors. So long term better to be placed on the 40 man roster
Think I’d like to be a rule 5, being a rule 5 gives me a way better chance of being claimed by my favorite team…go O’s…
If #1 is not put on the 40 man roster can another team claim him? Please…lol…go O’s…
Fat chance of that happening. They'd be forced to keep him the entire year.
Nothing constructive again! Another poser Oriole fan!
Misery sure loves company! And again, with no constructive comments!!! Making friends wherever they go!!!
Joy to the world, all the boys and girls, Severino has found a new home!
He always had some mighty fine wine ...
Obviously Elias thought this about Seve while watching him catch:
“I seen so many things I ain’t never seen before. I don’t know what it is. I don’t wanna see no more.”
Ah well, the show must go on!
Momma told me not to come! Lyrics are a nightmare for elementary English teachers!
:)…go O’s…
Shambles is just workin overtime here, boys. Love it.
Double :)….go O’s…
More company for misery, awesome!!! Nuance becomes a nuisance. Go figure.
But what would anyone expect from someone so full of bile!
I don’t know why I just wasted the 4 calories typing this response to you, but Icterus galbula is the Latin binomial for the Baltimore Oriole.
The bird is in the family Icterid, and although the Latin etymology can be traced back to the color yellow and yes, a concatenation to jaundice, it is to the avian that my appellation pays homage.
You can blame all this on the coat of arms of Lord Baltimore, #1
(for some additional nuance)
Now that’s definitely Black and White.