masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgThe Orioles have tossed another candidate into the mix for utility infielder, acquiring Éngelb Vielma from the Giants this afternoon for a player to be named or cash considerations.
The trade won’t rock the foundation of the Baltimore Convention Center for Saturday’s FanFest event, but they were in the market for a player with Vielma’s skill set.
Vielma, 23, can play second base, shortstop and third base and he’s a switch-hitter. He’s also well-traveled, the Orioles marking his fifth…

The Orioles have tossed another candidate into the mix for utility infielder, acquiring Éngelb Vielma from the Giants this afternoon for a player to be named or cash considerations.

The trade won’t rock the foundation of the Baltimore Convention Center for Saturday’s FanFest event, but they were in the market for a player with Vielma’s skill set.

Vielma, 23, can play second base, shortstop and third base and he’s a switch-hitter. He’s also well-traveled, the Orioles marking his fifth organization since September.

oriole-bird-sidebar.jpgI’ve been told that the Orioles failed in previous attempts to claim him on waivers. They decided today to consummate a trade and put him on the 40-man roster, which now holds 39 players.

Vielma has two minor league options and he’s regarded as a plus defender, making him an obvious target for the Orioles. Baseball America rated him among the Twins’ top 25 prospects on three occasions and lauded his glove work at shortstop.

“Our scouts like Vielma’s tools and ability to play shortstop and he is young,” executive vice president Dan Duquette wrote in a text message.

The bat is lagging behind. Vielma is a career .256/.316/.302 hitter with two home runs in six minor league seasons and he hasn’t reached the majors. He batted .286/.362/.328 last summer in 34 games with Double-A Chattanooga and .206/.233/.260 in 87 games with Triple-A Rochester.

The Twins designated Vielma for assignment on Sept. 12. He’s been claimed by the Giants on Sept. 14, the Phillies on Nov. 20 and the Pirates on Dec. 11. The Giants picked him up again on Jan. 18.

Teams kept trying to get him through waivers and outright him. The Orioles are Vielma’s next stop and he joins Luis Sardiñas, Rubén Tejada and Erick Salcedo in the utility competition.

The Orioles also could choose to move around Tim Beckham rather than start him at shortstop or third base.