Blake

Hunt

Hunt, the Padres’ second-round pick in 2017, returns to the organization five years after being shipped off to Tampa Bay in the Blake Snell trade. He spent last year with the Mariners’ Triple-A club, hitting .272/.368/.452 for Tacoma. Unfortunately, while his bat is solid, his subpar defense has kept him from being considered for a backup gig. He’ll probably head back to the PCL next season.

No surprise here. Hunt went unclaimed on waivers after being removed from Seattle’s 40-man roster earlier this week. The 26-year-old backstop will remain with the club as emergency catching depth in the minors.

The Mariners needed to free up a spot on their 40-man roster for Casey Lawrence on Thursday and unfortunately Hunt drew the short straw this time around. The 26-year-old backstop was hitting just .231/.271/.407 with two homers, five RBI and a 29/5 K/BB ratio over 96 plate appearances at Triple-A Tacoma. It seems likely that he’ll pass through waivers unclaimed and continue to function as extra depth for the M’s.

No real surprises here. It’s worth noting for dynasty purposes that Ford put together an impressive spring in Cactus League action, batting .421 (8-for-19) with one homer and three steals in 12 contests. His fantasy value tanked last year in the upper minors, but his athleticism is unparalleled at the catcher position.

The 26-year-old backstop entered the game as a defensive replacement for Cal Raleigh in the eighth inning. He then strolled to the dish in the ninth and walloped a 393-foot (106.3 mph EV) two-run shot off of Matt Sauer to get the Mariners on the board. He has impressed in limited action at the plate this spring, hitting .600 (6-for-10) with a pair of long balls and four RBI.

It’s a return to the organization for Hunt, as Seattle dealt Hunt to the Orioles for Mike Baumann last summer. The 26-year-old backstop will be the third catcher for the Mariners behind Cal Raleigh and Mitch Garver while likely reporting to Triple-A Tacoma to begin the year.

Hunt loses his spot on the Orioles’ 40-man roster after the club signed veteran reliever Andrew Kittredge. The 26-year-old backstop figures to pass through waivers unclaimed and remain with the club as emergency catching depth.

Hunt spent one day on the roster as a third catcher. The newly acquired Gregory Soto is taking his spot on the Orioles.

Hunt has been recalled to provide Baltimore with some emergency catching depth with James McCann banged up. The 25-year-old backstop was acquired back in May from the Mariners in a small trade.

Hunt, 25, has been stationed at Triple-A Tacoma for the duration of the 2024 season where he has hit .293/.372/.533 with four long balls, 20 RBI and a 10/6 K/BB ratio in 86 plate appearances. He’ll add catching depth for the O’s at Triple-A Norfolk.