The inevitable for first baseman Ryan O’Hearn became reality today.
The Orioles traded O’Hearn and outfielder Ramón Laureano to the Padres, an industry source confirmed. Six players are believed to be coming back to the Orioles, with The Athletic reporting the inclusion of left-hander Boston Bateman and infielder Brandon Butterworth.
A summer that brought O’Hearn’s first All-Star appearance, as the designated hitter for the American League, is changing his life again. And Laureano lasted only a half-season after signing a $4 million deal with a $6.5 million option.
Bateman was the No. 4 prospect in San Diego’s system, according to MLB Pipeline’s rankings, after his selection in the second round of the 2024 draft out of Adolfo Camarillo High School. He gets noticed for being 6-foot-8 and 240 pounds, but also a 60-grade curveball and upper-90s fastball. He’s posted a 4.08 ERA and 1.317 WHIP in 15 starts in his first professional season, with 75 strikeouts in 68 1/3 innings.
Butterworth, 22, was a 12th-round pick last year out of North Carolina State. He’s hitting .267/.327/.455 with 17 doubles, seven triples, 11 home runs and 46 RBIs in 89 games with High-A Fort Wayne. He plays second and third base, but also has some experience in center field and left field.
O’Hearn wasn’t an instant hit with the Orioles. To become an established major leaguer was a grind, the usual way he operated.
They surrendered cash to get him from the Royals on Jan. 3, 2023, designated him for assignment two days later and outrighted him. His contract was selected in April and he appeared in 112 games, batting .289 with an .801 OPS, 14 home runs and a career-high 22 doubles and 60 RBIs.
O’Hearn became more of a regular in 2024, appearing in 142 games and slashing .264/.334/.427 with 21 doubles, three triples, 15 homers and 59 RBIs. He heads to the Padres with a .283/.374/.463 line in 94 games, with 15 doubles, a triple, 13 homers and 43 RBIs. He’s registered an .874 OPS against right-handers.
O’Hearn homered in his last game with the Orioles, who are losing their leader in walks (42), on-base percentage and OPS (.837).
They’re also losing a valued leader.
"He’s been huge," said center fielder Cedric Mullins, dealt earlier today to the Mets. "He’s been a big voice in the clubhouse. One of our DJs on the road, so he definitely brings a quality vibe to the clubhouse every single day. Yeah, he’s going to be missed, 100 percent."
Laureano appeared in 82 games, perhaps more than expected, and hit .290/.355/.529 with 17 doubles, 15 homers and 46 RBIs. He also led the club with seven outfield assists.
The two leading candidates for the Most Valuable Oriole honor lost their eligibility in one deal.
ESPN and FanSided first reported that O’Hearn and Laureano were going to the Padres.
This story will be updated.