Cesar

Prieto

No real surprises here as there’s simply no room for Baker, Rivas or Young at the highest level at the moment in St. Louis. The trio will head to Triple-A Memphis to continue serving as extra organizational depth. The latest batch of cuts pretty much ensures that reliever Andre Pallante and reserve outfielder Michael Siani will make the Opening Day roster.

Prieto signed with the Orioles as an amateur free agent out of Cuba in January of 2022. The 24-year-old infielder has been terrific in 364 plate appearances between Double-A Bowie and Triple-A Norfolk this season — slashing .349/.393/.475 with six homers, 49 RBI and seven stolen bases. With Paul DeJong shipped out of town and Brendan Donovan facing season-ending surgery, perhaps Prieto gets an opportunity with the Cardinals sooner rather than later.

No word on the exact financial terms of the agreement, but the Orioles were considered the favorites to ink Prieto for roughly $750,000 at the outset of the international signing period. The 22-year-old middle infielder defected from the Cuban national team at an Olympic qualifying tournament last May and has a chance to move quickly though the rebuilding Orioles’ minor-league system. There’s a realistic chance he makes it to the majors during the 2022 season.

Romero, who is a member of the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, adds that Prieto is expected to sign for roughly $750,000. The 22-year-old middle infielder defected from the Cuban national team at an Olympic qualifying tournament last May, but major-league rules restrict Cuban players under the age of 25 (with fewer than six years of professional experience) from signing outside of the international bonus pool system. He had been playing professionally since 2017 with the Elefantes de Cienfuegos of the Cuban National Series and has a chance to rise quickly through the rebuilding Orioles’ minor-league system.