Those clamoring for a youth movement as the Orioles languish in last place will get their wish at one position at least.
Catcher Austin Wynns was officially recalled from Triple-A Norfolk on Tuesday and will join fellow rookie backstop Chance Sisco on the 25-man roster as the Orioles begin a two-game road set against the New York Mets. The promotion was originally to take place Sunday if not for the postponement of the final game of the series against the New York Yankees. Catcher Andrew Susac was optioned to Norfolk after Saturday’s game, creating the open roster spot.
The 27-year-old Wynns will be making his major league debut and will wear No. 61. Long known for his defensive abilities, the 10th-round pick of the 2013 draft from Fresno State has shown respectable offense for the Tides this year. Wynns was batting .257 with four home runs, four doubles, 16 runs batted in, and a .718 on-base plus slugging percentage.
Wynns’ right-handed bat will likely platoon with the lefty-swinging Sisco, whom manager Buck Showalter has tried to protect against left-handed pitching this season. Sisco, 23, is hitting .210 with two homers, six doubles, 15 RBIs, and a .655 OPS in 117 plate appearances.
The catcher position has been a problem all season for the Orioles as Opening Day starter Caleb Joseph was optioned to the Tides last month after hitting just .182 in 80 plate appearances. Susac went 3-for-26 with 12 strikeouts in his stint with Baltimore.
