Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com reports that catcher David Banuelos has signed a new minor league contract with the Orioles (X link). An invitation to Baltimore’s major league Spring Training camp is included in the deal.
Although Banuelos was a minor league free agency, the contract guarantees that he will stay with the Orioles for another season. Banuelos made his Major League debut on April 16 in a pinch-hit appearance during Baltimore’s 11-3 victory over the Twins, following his signing of a minors contract with the O’s last winter. Banuelos played in just 22 games for Triple-A Norfolk that season, and that one game was his only MLB appearance.
Because Banuelos was a frequent part of the Orioles’ taxi squad, he did not receive enough playing time because the team needed an emergency catcher to support James McCann and Adley Rutschman. The Orioles needed additional depth in case either of their two regular backstops suffered an injury because Rutschmann plays as a catcher or DH nearly every day. Rutschman and McCann both managed to avoid the injured list, which was rather surprising for McCann considering that he had been struck in the face by a pitch on July 29. As a result, Banuelos was left without much playing time.
Additionally, Banuelos was in roster limbo for a portion of the season since the Orioles outright removed him from their 40-man roster three times and designated the catcher for assignment. Banuelos had the option to decline any more outright assignments in favor of free agency after being outrighted the first time, but he chose to stay with Baltimore after clearing waivers the next two times.
After seven professional seasons, Banuelos can now formally call himself a big leaguer, even if he only had a cup of coffee in the Show. Banuelos, who was selected by the Mariners in the fifth round of the 2017 draft, played in Minnesota’s minor system from 2018 to 23 after spending just one season in Seattle’s organization before being traded to the Twins. Throughout his 1265 minor league plate appearances, Banuelos has hit.216/.283/.354.
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