The Baltimore Orioles have officially designated catcher Blake Hunt for assignment, allowing them a week to trade, waive, or release him. If he goes unclaimed, there’s a possibility he could return to the Orioles and be assigned to their minor league system.
Hunt, 26, could be a valuable asset for the Seattle Mariners, who previously had him in their minor league system before trading him to Baltimore in exchange for reliever Mike Baumann last May. His minor league stats show a .241 batting average, and he played well with Triple-A Tacoma this year, hitting .293 with four home runs and driving in 20 runs.
The Mariners are currently facing depth issues at the catcher position, relying on Platinum Glove winner Cal Raleigh and veteran Mitch Garver, with only prospect Harry Ford as additional support. The recent designation of Nick Raposo further emphasizes the need for more robust options. If the Mariners pursue Hunt, they will need to navigate their 40-man roster due to current limitations.
