The last two days have seen MLB teams make a myriad of moves in order to start shaping up their rosters with the regular season a little over two weeks away. Top notch prospects Víctor Mesa Jr and Bryan Ramos were assigned to minor league camps by Marlins and White Sox respectively, while José Barrero was claimed off waivers by the world champion Texas Rangers.
These were the transactions dominating the headlines in recent days, while other more subtle moves were also made by certain clubs to get closer to the cut down number of 26 players. With Opening Day looming teams are looking to have their rosters in order to make their final preparations for the beginning of the campaign.
This spring, Mesa has two hits in 16 trips to the plate. His base knocks were a pair of doubles on the day he made his debut for the 2024 preseason. The 21-year-old from Villa Clara, Cuba has also struck out six times and walked twice. Baseball America magazine selected him as the best defensive outfielder in the Marlins farm system.
Recent Spring Training transactions involving Cubans:
* Marlin assign OF Víctor Mesa Jr to minor league camp.
*IF-OF Norel González does not report to camp with the Marlins and has announced his retirement.
* Los Angeles Angels assign RHP Víctor Mederos to minor league camp.… pic.twitter.com/hiNtWJutoG
— Cuban Baseball Digest (@CBaseballDigest) March 12, 2024
Ramos who is the third best prospect in the pale holes organization has visited the plate 12 times during the spring banging out three hits to post a middling .250 average, while his on-base percentage stands at .308 on the preseason, the Havana native has not driven in any runs and has scored once. Ramos looks slated to start the season at Birmingham (AA).
Barrero who was once a highly rated prospect in the Reds organization has fallen out of favor due to Elly De La Cruz’s emergence and was claimed off waivers by the Rangers two days ago. The infielder-outfielder is hitting .214 with a longball and a run batted in this spring. Over his four year career the Cuban slashes .186/.242/.255/.497 with four homers and 32 RBI. Barrero could be in line for a bench spot with Texas based on his versatility.
Other moves:
*IF-OF Norel González does not report to camp with the Marlins and has announced his retirement.
* Los Angeles Angels assign RHP Víctor Mederos to minor league camp.
* Oakland Athletics assign OF Lázaro Armenteros to minor league camp.
* Chicago White Sox assign C Edgar Quero to minor league camp.