St. Louis Cardinals acquire Michael Ohlman from Baltimore Orioles

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The St. Louis Cardinals have acquired right-handed hitting catcher Michael Ohlman from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for cash considerations, the team announced on Tuesday.

Feb 22, 2014; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Michael Ohlman (64) poses for a picture during photo day at Ed Smith Stadium. Image Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

The trade comes just days after the Orioles had designated the catcher for assignment.

An eleventh round draft pick in 2009 out of Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, Fla., Ohlman led the Carolina League in batting during the 2013 season.

In 2014, Ohlman entered the season as ranked by Baseball America as the organization’s ninth best prospect. The ranking had followed a season in which the catcher hit .313/.410/.524 with 13 home runs and 53 runs batted in while playing for Frederick in the Carolina League (A). Ohlman’s.313 batting average wasn’t only a career best but it won him the league’s batting title, too. Ohlman was also honored as the Topps Carolina League Player of the Year. During the same year, Ohlman played in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit .290 for the Surprise Saguaros. Surprise went on to take home the championship.

Following the 2014 season, Ohlman returned to play in the AFL. This time around, Ohlman played for the Glendale Desert Dogs. In 12 games, Ohlman hit .244/.304/.366 with one home run and two runs batted in.

The catcher has hit .254 with 24 homers and 206 RBI in 465 games played in the minor leagues. This past season, Ohlman hit .236 over 113 games played with Bowie.

With the trade, the Cardinals are just one player shy of the maximum 40-man roster. Ohlman joins Yadier Molina, Tony Cruz, Ed Easley and Cody Stanley as catchers on the roster.

CardinalsFarm’s Scott Schook suggests that Springfield may be the best fit for the newly acquired catcher.

Our own Austin Ward provides his opinion on the acquisition here.

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