The Orioles have formally selected the contract of top infield prospect Jordan Westburg from Triple-A Norfolk, per a club announcement. The move was reported to be in the works yesterday afternoon. Baltimore opened a spot on the 40-man roster by passing catcher Jose Godoy through outright waivers. Godoy will remain in Triple-A but no longer occupy a spot on the 40-man roster. Fellow infielder Joey Ortiz was optioned to Norfolk to open a spot on the active 26-man roster for Westburg, who’ll make his MLB debut in tonight’s game.
Westburg, 24, was the No. 30 overall pick in the 2020 draft and has ripped through Triple-A pitching this year, slashing .295/.372/.567 with 18 homers, 15 doubles, a pair of triples and a perfect six-for-six showing in stolen bases. He’s walked in 9.6% of his plate appearances against a 21.3% strikeout rate. Westburg is widely regarded as one of the sport’s 100 best prospects, ranking prominently on lists compiled by Baseball America (No. 41), MLB.com (No. 34) and many others.
Given that pedigree, Westburg will likely be given the opportunity for regular plate appearances. His promotion could cut into the playing time for veteran second baseman Adam Frazier (who’s also capable of playing left field) and slumping shortstop Jorge Mateo. Westburg has primarily been a shortstop in his minor league career, but he’s also logged considerable time at third base and second base, in addition to some brief cameos in the outfield corners.
As for the 28-year-old Godoy, he came to the O’s about three weeks ago in a cash trade with the Yankees. The former Cardinals farmhand has quickly become something of a journeyman, as the O’s are his sixth organization since 2019. He’s appeared in 26 big league games — split between the Mariners, Twins and Pirates — but has just a .123/.194/.140 batting line in a tiny sample of 62 plate appearances. He has a much better .272/.327/.412 batting line in 671 Triple-A plate appearances across parts of four seasons, and Godoy is regarded as a quality defensive option behind the dish as well. He’ll remain with the O’s and serve as a depth option with their top affiliate.