The Orioles have signed outfielder Ben DeLuzio to a minor league deal, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. He has reported to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides and is in the lineup for tonight’s game.
DeLuzio, 28, was with the Cardinals last year but was non-tendered at season’s end and became a free agent. He signed a minor league deal with the Cubs this winter but didn’t make the club out of camp and was released. He landed with the Dodgers on another minor league deal but he hit just .180/.286/.258 in Triple-A and was again released last week, now landing with the Orioles.
His only major league experience came with the Cards last year, when he hit .150/.292/.200 in a small sample of 25 plate appearances. Although he didn’t steal a base in that time, his speed and defense are his best assets. He stole 30 bases in Triple-A last year and added another five in his brief stint with the Dodgers this year. While he was in the majors last year, Statcast pegged his sprint speed in the 98th percentile.
The Orioles already have plenty of speed, as their collective 43 steals put them fifth out of the 30 clubs in the league. Nonetheless, if DeLuzio can take a meaningful step forward with the bat, he could serve as an intriguing bench piece for the club, serving as a pinch runner and defensive replacement. He hit .283/.359/.430 in the minors from 2019 to 2022 and perhaps is capable of a stronger showing than what he’s mustered here in 2023 so far. If he’s able to make the roster, he has a full slate of options and less than a year of service time.
Who?
Why not take a chance on Hunter Dozier?
Dom Deluise had his day
Dozier hasn’t been any good for awhile. He couldn’t even keep a job in KC, why would the O’S want him? He’d just be a roadblock for the younger guys.
I wish the Cards had kept him in some capacity. Centerfield depth is worth stockpiling. I don’t think Deluzio is a future regular or anything, but he had a solid approach at the plate and was smart in the field and on the bases. Good signing O’s. Best of luck Ben.
DeLuzio of Grandeur! Always liked him as a farmhand for the DBacks; not a future regular, but he does have a shot at being a “skills heavy” bench OF if he can get his SwStr% trimmed a bit (particularly since all of his tools are of the high-floor variety). Maybe he could stand to bunt with his speed more? Keep the defense on their toes.
Not a bad bet considering he’s not really of prospect age and still has all his options , so if he can settle in he’s cost-controlled for essentially his whole career (with roster flexibility).
Thought that they had that guy in Daz Cameron (sp?) down in Norfolk? Also, does this mean the Stowers experiment is over? Will he be part of that trade package that could land the top side rotation guy the Birds so desperately need?
Why would ANYONE think that DeLuzio was picked up to play for the Orioles? All 3 of their prospect OFs are on the IL. Ortiz and Vavra are in the majors. Norfolk is not that far from clinching the postseason. DeLuzio is a AAA depth piece.
Great question. Spot on !
DeLuzio reminds me of outfielder Bob Molinaro who carved out a nice mlb career from 1975-1983 and being on an mlb roster for 807 days.Molinaro was 25 when he was called up to the bigs with the 75 Tigers.[Deluzio was 27].After his playing days he managed in the minors and also played in the retired mlb league.Deluzio is speedy and has decent AAA numbers .Good luck to him in his inspirational mlb journey.
Appears to be a nonsensical signing. Plenty of good outfielders in the system, and no use for a sub-200 hitter. Unless they are planning a big trade.
.150/.292/.200
That’s not a slash, that’s a slit.