The Orioles on Tuesday released one of their most versatile players, utilityman Stevie Wilkerson, and six others a day after promoting a number of prospects.
Wilkerson, who made baseball history by becoming the first position player in Major League Baseball history to record a save on July 25, 2019 when he pitched a perfect 16th inning, was at Triple-A Norfolk.
In 163 games in three seasons, Wilkerson hit .210 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs while playing every position but first base and catcher. In 2019, Wilkerson started 58 games in center field, a position he hadn’t played before.
He missed the 2020 season because of a fractured left ring finger.
Wilkerson pitched in five games, four in 2019, and one this season. At Norfolk, Wilkerson hit .244 with two homers and seven RBIs in 36 games. In 30 games with the Orioles this season, Wilkerson hit .167 with two RBIs.
Wilkerson’s release coincided with the large number of minor league promotions that were announced on Monday.
The Orioles also released infielder Seth Mejias-Brean and left-hander Tyler Erwin, who were at Double-A Bowie; outfielder Craig Lewis and right-hander Dallas Litscher, from High-A Aberdeen; and outfielder Trevor Kehe and right-hander Jake Zebron, from Low-A Delmarva.
Mejias-Brean played 19 games for San Diego in 2019. Erwin was the Orioles’ 23rd-round pick in 2016. Lewis was the 33rd-round pick in 2019, and Litscher the 10th-round selection in 2018. Kehe was taken in the 36th round in 2019, and Zebron, a Federalsburg, Maryland native, was an 18th-round pick in 2018.
Mountcastle reinstated: The Orioles activated first baseman/designated hitter Ryan Mountcastle from the concussion injured list. He has been out since August 6th after being tagged in the head on an attempted steal of second. Outfielder Ryan McKenna has been optioned to Triple-A Norfolk.