Orioles Sign Veteran Former Gold Glove Catcher to Add Depth
The Baltimore Orioles made a key move on Tuesday evening, adding veteran catcher Jacob Stallings on a minor league deal, just weeks after his release by the Colorado Rockies.
With a decade of Major League experience, Stallings spent six years with the Pittsburgh Pirates, followed by two seasons each with the Miami Marlins and the Rockies. This season, the 35-year-old struggled with a .143/.217/.179 line in 28 games, but he had his best offensive season in 2023, slashing .263/.357/.453 with nine home runs and 36 RBIs in 82 games with Colorado.
Stallings, a 2021 Gold Glove winner with the Pirates, also posted a career-high 3.0 bWAR that year. Over his career, he has a .234/.314/.344 slash line with 33 home runs and 190 RBIs in 561 games, known more for his defense than his bat.
While it’s uncertain if he’ll make an immediate impact at the Major League level, Stallings brings a wealth of experience to the organization, both defensively and offensively. He’s expected to report to Triple-A Norfolk, where he could mentor top prospect Samuel Basallo before the young catcher potentially moves up to the majors.
At the very least, Stallings adds valuable depth behind the plate and becomes an interesting player for fans to follow in the coming months.
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