O's claim Ramon Urias

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[Enjoy Terror]

Urias has two options

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It seems the O's are determined to have Valaika play at Norfolk... haha. 

[Moose Milligan]

Whew.  All this roster shuffling, I need a cool drink this afternoon!

[Aristotelian]

I like that OBP.

[Frobby]

He seems kind’ve interesting.    Played for years in the Mexican League.   

[WalkWithElias]

Position flexibility + plate discipline + option years = Sure, why not? 

[luismatos4prez]

Good claim, from his stat line. It's Urias vs. Herrera for the utility spot. Urena, Valaika, Wilkerson, and any other infielders in the mix are not ML caliber. 

Fangraphs' Longenhagen and McDaniel said this about him, as they ranked him a 40 FV, 21st in the Cards organization:

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After two DSL seasons with Texas, Urias’ rights were loaned and then sold outright to Diablos Rojos in Mexico City, where he hit .318/.402/.467 over five seasons before the Cardinals came calling in the spring of 2018.

Urias’ return to affiliated ball went well. He hit .300/.356/.516 in 90 games between Double and Triple-A. His bat-to-ball skills have propelled Urias to the precipice of the majors. He has remarkable bat control, but it was surprising that he hit for as much power as he did last season given his ultra-conservative footwork in the box. He projects as a multi-positional (second, third, some short) bench option, but he also might be a swing tweak away from power that would play every day.

 

[luismatos4prez]

Actually, the above scouting report was before last season. He's still a 40 FV, 20th ranked prospect in their system, but the below was posted a couple weeks back:

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This is the player in the system about whom the scouts and data most disagree. Scouts see an unathletic infielder, arguably positionless, without the power to make up for his defensive issues. But on paper, Urias has a .270/.360/.420 career line in the minors — after two DSL seasons with Texas, Urias’ rights were loaned and then sold outright to Diablos Rojos in Mexico City, where he hit .318/.402/.467 over five seasons before the Cardinals came calling in the spring of 2018 — and he’s hit well for two consecutive years at Double and Triple-A. His TrackMan data is strong (91 mph average exit velo, 47% of balls in play at 95 mph or more), and he plays an up-the-middle position. He’s an interesting sleeper, though we acknowledge there’s no margin for error here. Urias can only really play second base passably as he lacks the arm strength for the left side. He’ll either hit enough to be an everyday second baseman, or he won’t and will be very difficult to roster.

 

[interloper]

Kind of a weird numbers dip in his final stint in the Mexican League last year (bbref says 2019-2020, though), in over 100 ABs. Not sure what that's about, but overall I like the pickup. 

[weams]

 

[section18]

He was discussed last week. I'm glad we were able to get him. Only 25 ! Nice pickup worth keeping an eye on this Spring. Now lets sign McHugh or Sanchez.

[Enjoy Terror]

https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/ramon-urias-602104?stats=career-r-hitting-milb

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Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Overall: 40

Urias was originally signed by the Rangers in December 2010, but after two uneventful summers in the Dominican Summer League, he was first loaned then sold to Mexico City in the Mexican League, where he played from 2013-17 before signing with St. Louis in March 2018. He made quick work of Double-A, earning a bump to Triple-A in May, and he collectively hit .300/.356/.516 with 41 extra-base hits between the two levels.

Urias showed an ability to hit for average throughout his Mexican League stay, hitting .300 or better in four of his five seasons. He has a good approach at the plate, with advanced bat-to-ball skills that limit his strikeouts, as well as surprising extra-base power for his 5-foot-10 frame. Defensively, he's best suited for second base on a daily basis, but he has shown he can handle short or third when needed.

The older brother of Luis Urias, who made his Major League debut with the Padres late last season, Ramon could soon join his younger sibling at the highest level, where he fits the profile of an overachieving utility-type.

 

 

[Enjoy Terror]

23 minutes ago, luismatos4prez said:

It's Urias vs. Herrera for the utility spot. Urena, Valaika, Wilkerson, and any other infielders in the mix are not ML caliber. 

You're the first person I've seen make the assertion that Dilson Herrera has a shot to make opening day.