Matt

Antonelli

Antonelli was taken with the 17th overall pick. The third baseman from Wake Forest has been compared to the Blue Jays infielder Aaron Hill.

Considered one of the “sure things” in the draft, Antonelli doesn’t have a big upside but should be a solid big leaguer relatively soon. His strength is defense at third base, but he may lack the power to be a star.

Antonelli failed to earn a roster spot out of spring training and is off to a .204/.357/.280 start at Triple-A Norfolk. He should clear waivers and remain in the organization.

Flaherty tripled and drove in two of the runs, while Antonelli had a walk to go along with his two singles. If Brian Roberts opens up on the DL as expected, there could be room for both Flaherty and Antonelli on the roster. It will probably come down to those two infielders and Nick Johnson for two spots.

Antonelli had a chance at a utility infield job this spring, but batted just .194 (6-for-31) with zero extra-base hits. Ryan Flaherty now appears to be in good shape to make the Opening Day roster.

The deal was agreed to late last week, then made official on Monday after Antonelli passed his physical in Baltimore. The 26-year-old infielder batted .298/.390/.457 in the minor leagues this past season and will now serve as organizational depth for the Orioles.

He is expected to receive a big league deal, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Antonelli, who turns 27 next April, batted .298/.390/.457 with eight homers, 31 RBI and an .847 OPS over 374 plate appearances this season between Double- and Triple-A in the Nationals’ organization. He hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since 2008 as a member of the Padres and is unlikely to crack the O’s Opening Day roster.

The move clears a 40-man roster spot for Chad Qualls. New York claimed Antonelli off waivers from the Orioles in mid-May and he’s been playing at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre since that time. Antonelli should clear waivers and remain in the organization, unless another franchise wants to snipe him as minor league depth, as New York did to Baltimore.

Antonelli was designated for assignment earlier this week to clear a roster spot for Chad Qualls. The 27-year-old infielder will try to latch on with a new club.

Antonelli was designated for assignment by the O’s earlier this week after batting just .204/.357/.280 at Triple-A Norfolk. He will serve as depth for the Yanks.