Twins Claim RHP Oliver Ortega Off Waivers from Angels

[Nick Nelson]

As Minnesota Twins fandom and baseball at large keeps a close eye on the unending Carlos Correa saga, the front office made a fairly minor but still noteworthy move on Friday, claiming right-handed pitcher Oliver Ortega off waivers from the Angels.

Blayne Enlow has been designated for assignment.

Image courtesy of Jim Cowsert, USA Today

In a move to add bullpen depth, the Minnesota Twins have claimed Oliver Ortega, a 26-year-old right-handed relief pitcher, off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels. Dan Hayes of The Athletic was first to report that move.

Ortega, who was waived by LA on December 22nd to make room for free agent signing Brandon Drury, has thrown 43 ⅓ innings as a member of the Angels bullpen, posting a 3.95 ERA to go along with an uninspiring 4.74 FIP, 1.2 HR/9 rate and 4.2 BB/9 rate. The numbers haven't been too impressive up to this point, but the Twins obviously see something they like.

It might relate to a a big strikeout rate in the minors (10.1 K/9) and a big fastball that features 84th percentile velocity (averaging about 96 MPH) and 64th percentile spin, according to Statcast. He uses the heater as his primary pitch and mixes in a curveball, which is said to be a quality pitch when he can throw it in the zone – a big caveat.

To make room for Ortega on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated Blayne Enlow for assignment. The right-hander was acquired out of high school in the first draft under the current Twins front office, but Tommy John surgery derailed his development. He turns 24 in March and still lacks a clear path to the majors.

We'll update this article with more information as we get it. For now, feel free to share your thoughts on the acquisition of Ortega and loss of Enlow.

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[roger]

Certainly not the reliever I had hoped they would get.  And still hope for.

Let's cross our fingers that Enlow will clear waivers and remain with the organization.  Still believe he could make it.  Gotta believe it is good that when looking at the 40-man someone with as much potential as Enlow has to be the one cut loose when adding someone.

[Mike Sixel]

Enlow likely gone. I'm baffled. They have others that have almost no upside on the f forty man.

Also, imo, this shows they think they can win this year and makes me believe even more they aren't trading Kepler unless blown away. 

[Dman]

I guess I thought the odd man out was going to be Sands and his 5.47 ERA but they must feel Enlow has the best chance to make it through. If you look at MLB.com Enlow looks like he has more polished pitches but I guess if the Twins are looking for a young power bullpen arm this move makes some sense.  I don't love it when relievers have such high WHIP's but maybe they can teach him a slider or help him find the zone more.  I do love having another high octane arm to work with and hopefully this is a move that works out.

For anyone interested Ortega was the Angels 16th best prospect in 2021 not that the Angels have a top farm but he has been good in the minors.  This also shows how hard it is for teams to carry arms that are not quite ready yet.  Enlow was more than likely dead weight this season for sure but I think he might end up being the better pitcher in the end.  Will have to wait and see how this one turns out.

[Danchat]

For me the real story is Enlow, they must be pretty low on him to DFA him now, as I have to think with his pedigree he gets claimed. I would have liked to see him as a full time reliever and see if he could make it to the bigs by the end of the year. Another pitching prospect goes down the drain…

Ortega’s profile reminds me of Megill, high fastball speeds but too hittable. That BB/9 is not going to fly here.

 

[Seth Stohs]

I'm not a fan of DFAing Enlow. I would assume he'll be claimed. If not, good move. Ortega throws hard, good breaking ball, but hasn't put up numbers and struggles with control. But, if they claim him and put him on waivers when they sign someone else in the coming days, he's the kind of guy you'd like to get through waivers and work with. 

[RJA]

It will be interesting to see how this plays. At first blush, he looks like Pagan 2–has the right analytics but hasn’t performed up to expectations. I am not sure what to make of the Enlow situation, whether they know something about his potential we don’t, or they think they can sneak him through. Now if reports are correct and they are closing in on Correa, maybe they plan an all in strategy for this year. But, would you count on Ortega and Pagan in your “all in” bullpen?  We live in interesting times. 

[LA VIkes Fan]

It strikes me that the DFA for Enlow is a calculated move based on the idea that other teams will be hesitant to spend a 40 man spot on him when he wasn't very effective coming off of TJ Surgery last year. I do have one question. I understand that the DFA means we have to trade or waive Enlow in the next 7 days. Let's say we make a trade in those 7 days say, Kepler plus others on the 40 man to say, Miami, where we get less players for the 40 man then we give up and now have an open 40 man spot. Kepler and Larnach for Lopez, for example. Can we return Enlow to the 40 man in that spot? What if the trade doesn't become "official" until after he's claimed on waivers? How about if a spot opens up by moving a player to the 60 day IL? What if Enlow is going to be part of a trade that will go down in the next 7 days. Does the new team have to DFA him or do they just add him to their 40 man roster? Just curious. 

Just thinking out loud that this may be a move in conjunction with something else coming that would allow the Twins to pick up Ortega and later pull back Enlow because a spot is going to open up.  

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, LA VIkes Fan said:

It strikes me that the DFA for Enlow is a calculated move based on the idea that other teams will be hesitant to spend a 40 man spot on him when he wasn't very effective coming off of TJ Surgery last year. I do have one question. I understand that the DFA means we have to trade or waive Enlow in the next 7 days. Let's say we make a trade in those 7 days say, Kepler plus others on the 40 man to say, Miami, where we get less players for the 40 man then we give up and now have an open 40 man spot. Kepler and Larnach for Lopez, for example. Can we return Enlow to the 40 man in that spot? What if the trade doesn't become "official" until after he's claimed on waivers? How about if a spot opens up by moving a player to the 60 day IL? Just curious. 

Just thinking out loud that this may be a move in conjunction with something else coming that would allow the Twins to pick up Ortega and later pull back Enlow because a spot is going to open up.  

If I'm a terrible team, I 100% take a chance on Enlow on the 40 man. Why not? 

[LA VIkes Fan]

That seems right to me. If I'm Pittsburg or KC or Detroit, why not give him a shot? That's why I wonder if this isn't part of a grander strategy that will let the Twins either pull him back or make him part of a trade. I just don't know the rules well enough to know if that's a realistic option. 

[mikelink45]

This fits with my response to the top 30 prospects of 2020 essay.  I have been very disappointed in Enlow and I understand why he is low man on the 40 man totem pole.  BUT!!!!  This is the Pagan, Lopez, profile - big arm, poor results.  But of course we can make him better even though a team that needs good arms let him go. Way to build a BP - any more blue light specials out there?  I would have rather they put Enlow in the BP and see what he could do - even though I am not a big believer in him. 

[Dman]

2 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

That seems right to me. If I'm Pittsburg or KC or Detroit, why not give him a shot? That's why I wonder if this isn't part of a grander strategy that will let the Twins either pull him back or make him part of a trade. I just don't know the rules well enough to know if that's a realistic option. 

I think if they had a trade lined up this would be a horrible order of operations to do it in.  It would make more sense or be better to do the trade first as in this scenario they have no leverage after 7 days.  Still to your point I would hope they could get something decent in return for Enlow or that there is some sort of plan here.

I know he was just coming back from TJ last year but he looked pretty hittable and a lot of the hits I saw were hard contact.  The FO might just be down on what they think he can do.  Hard to say.

[nicksaviking]

I know lots of us had high hopes for him, but at this point, Enlow seems likely to be one of those guys who will end up getting claimed and DFA’d multiple times. 

[Steve Lein]

This is all the Twins 40-man roster and injury issues during the 2022 season coming home to roost. Enlow, in my opinion, has the potential that you don't jettison for what they added. But, there's not a whole lot for them to jettison at this point, even if there are names there I would have DFA'd instead.

I'd be extremely surprised if he isn't claimed.

 

[weitz41]

Enlow being DFA'd surprised me. I'll be surprised if he makes it through waivers. Hoping he does..

[baul0010]

17 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I know lots of us had high hopes for him, but at this point, Enlow seems likely to be one of those guys who will end up getting claimed and DFA’d multiple times. 

But with our luck, after the 4th claim...he'll be Liam Hendricks.  

[sweetmusicviola16]

Ortega is a meh, move. Lots of walks. 

Enlow is gone. He won't clear waivers.

[DJL44]

47 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

If I'm a terrible team, I 100% take a chance on Enlow on the 40 man. Why not? 

You'll need 18 pitchers to get through the season. That only leaves a few slots for projects and you might prefer your own guys.

[Aggies7]

I’m currently looking at booking hotels for the inevitable World Series parade after this move. Good rates available in MSP for early November.

[NotAboutWinning]

Be sure to pack your flipflops and trapper hat.... Never know what you're going to need in November ??

[LA VIkes Fan]

36 minutes ago, Dman said:

I think if they had a trade lined up this would be a horrible order of operations to do it in.  It would make more sense or be better to do the trade first as in this scenario they have no leverage after 7 days.  Still to your point I would hope they could get something decent in return for Enlow or that there is some sort of plan here.

I know he was just coming back from TJ last year but he looked pretty hittable and a lot of the hits I saw were hard contact.  The FO might just be down on what they think he can do.  Hard to say.

Maybe so, but they may have had to go in this order to get Ortega. How's this for a plan

(trades vetted through BTV):

(1) Trade Kepler, Larnach and DeAndrade to Miami for Luzardo or Lopez, alone or plus a non-40 man prospect.

(2) Trade Enlow and Cole Sands to Mets for Guillorme.

(3) Sign Mancini as a DH/IB/LF (2 yrs/20m). 

(4) Sign Kevin Pillar as a 4th/5th OF because he can play CF (1 yr/3m). Otherwise stick with Garlick and Gordon is the backup CF.

(5) Sign Andrew Chafin (2yrs/18m) or Michael Fullmer ( 2yrs/6-8m) .

Roster:

1b: Arraez/Kiriloff/Mancini

2B: Polanco

SS: Guillorme/Farmer

3B: Miranda

LF: Gordon/Mancini

CF: Buxton

RF: Gallo

C:  Vasquez/Jeffers

DH: Arraez/Mancini/Guy taking a "half day off"

UTL: Farmer

4th/5th OF: Pillar/Garlick

SP: Gray, Lopez/Luzardo, Mahle, Ryan, Ober, Maeda

Go with a 6 man rotation and expect 100-120+ pitches per start given the extra rest, Hope for 6-8 innings per start to avoid overtaxing a 7 amn bullpen. Or move Maeda to bullpen.

BP: Duran, Lopex, Jax, Alcala, Theilbar, Chafin/Fullmer, Pagan/Moran/McGill/Coloumbe, Maeda if a 5 man rotation. 

AAA OF is Wallner, Celestino, Martin and Contreras. First 3 get 500 ABS in the minors unless needed for Twins due to injury. Whoever of the Pagan/Moran/McGill/Coloumbe group doesn't make team is in AAA as insurance. 

Thoughts?

[Dman]

Just now, LA VIkes Fan said:

Maybe so, but they may have had to go in this order to get Ortega. How's this for a plan

(trades vetted through BTV):

(1) Trade Kepler, Larnach and DeAndrade to Miami for Luzardo or Lopez, alone or plus a non-40 man prospect.

(2) Trade Enlow and Cole Sands to Mets for Guillorme.

(3) Sign Mancini as a DH/IB/LF (2 yrs/20m). 

(4) Sign Kevin Pillar as a 4th/5th OF because he can play CF (1 yr/3m). Otherwise stick with Garlick and Gordon is the backup CF.

(5) Sign Andrew Chafin (2yrs/18m) or Michael Fullmer ( 2yrs/6-8m) .

Roster:

1b: Arraez/Kiriloff/Mancini

2B: Polanco

SS: Guillorme/Farmer

3B: Miranda

LF: Gordon/Mancini

CF: Buxton

RF: Gallo

C:  Vasquez/Jeffers

DH: Arraez/Mancini/Guy taking a "half day off"

UTL: Farmer

4th/5th OF: Pillar/Garlick

SP: Gray, Lopez/Luzardo, Mahle, Ryan, Ober, Maeda

Go with a 6 man rotation and expect 100-120+ pitches per start given the extra rest, Hope for 6-8 innings per start to avoid overtaxing a 7 amn bullpen. Or move Maeda to bullpen.

BP: Duran, Lopex, Jax, Alcala, Theilbar, Chafin/Fullmer, Pagan/Moran/McGill/Coloumbe, Maeda if a 5 man rotation. 

AAA OF is Wallner, Celestino, Martin and Contreras. First 3 get 500 ABS in the minors unless needed for Twins due to injury. Whoever of the Pagan/Moran/McGill/Coloumbe group doesn't make team is in AAA as insurance. 

Thoughts?

I just hope you are right that they have a nice trade package setup!  That would make me happy as then are getting a high octane arm in Ortega and getting something for Enlow.  I would be OK with that.

[Dman]

9 minutes ago, LA VIkes Fan said:

Maybe so, but they may have had to go in this order to get Ortega. How's this for a plan

(trades vetted through BTV):

(1) Trade Kepler, Larnach and DeAndrade to Miami for Luzardo or Lopez, alone or plus a non-40 man prospect.

(2) Trade Enlow and Cole Sands to Mets for Guillorme.

(3) Sign Mancini as a DH/IB/LF (2 yrs/20m). 

(4) Sign Kevin Pillar as a 4th/5th OF because he can play CF (1 yr/3m). Otherwise stick with Garlick and Gordon is the backup CF.

(5) Sign Andrew Chafin (2yrs/18m) or Michael Fullmer ( 2yrs/6-8m) .

Roster:

1b: Arraez/Kiriloff/Mancini

2B: Polanco

SS: Guillorme/Farmer

3B: Miranda

LF: Gordon/Mancini

CF: Buxton

RF: Gallo

C:  Vasquez/Jeffers

DH: Arraez/Mancini/Guy taking a "half day off"

UTL: Farmer

4th/5th OF: Pillar/Garlick

SP: Gray, Lopez/Luzardo, Mahle, Ryan, Ober, Maeda

Go with a 6 man rotation and expect 100-120+ pitches per start given the extra rest, Hope for 6-8 innings per start to avoid overtaxing a 7 amn bullpen. Or move Maeda to bullpen.

BP: Duran, Lopex, Jax, Alcala, Theilbar, Chafin/Fullmer, Pagan/Moran/McGill/Coloumbe, Maeda if a 5 man rotation. 

AAA OF is Wallner, Celestino, Martin and Contreras. First 3 get 500 ABS in the minors unless needed for Twins due to injury. Whoever of the Pagan/Moran/McGill/Coloumbe group doesn't make team is in AAA as insurance. 

Thoughts?

TBH I was thinking that if they think they are getting Correa to sign that they might be packaging Kepler and Enlow for something.  I think you are right that they could add Larnach in a package as well for the right return.  It depends on how they feel about Wallner in left as a replacement for Larnach I would think.

I would skip on Mancini and probably Pillar.  Wouldn't mind Farmer back on a decent deal as again if they sign Correa they will be dollar conscious.  I guess will know in the next 7 days how things play out.

[IA Bean Counter]

51 minutes ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

Ortega is a meh, move. Lots of walks. 

Enlow is gone. He won't clear waivers.

I think he clears waivers.  How many Teams are going to use a 40 man roster spot on a AA pitcher that has over a 4 ERA.  Enlow is essentially on the fringe of what the Twins see as their future.  They view him as someone they wanted to protect from Rule 5,  but now that many rosters have been filling up,  there is much less of a risk someone will claim him.  He is the twins #20 prospect and is 2-3 years away.  

[ashbury]

I don't understand the sequence of events. Ortega was DFA by the Angels on December 22. That was more than 2 weeks ago. I thought DFA lasted for 10 days, sometime within which 3-day waivers must be started and completed, unless the intention is to simply release him or make some other move. How is it that the Twins claimed him now?

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, baul0010 said:

But with our luck, after the 4th claim...he'll be Liam Hendricks.  

Hendricks pitched three seasons for the Twins. Their foolishness stemmed from not trying him in the pen before cutting him loose. Looks like the Twins did start that with Enlow last year, but he was still in AA ball, and not doing well.

I'm not terribly worried about him becoming great. I'll also be a dissenter in saying that I think the odds of him getting claimed are less than 50%. The bloom has been off of his rose since 2019.

[RJA]

1 hour ago, IA Bean Counter said:

I think he clears waivers.  How many Teams are going to use a 40 man roster spot on a AA pitcher that has over a 4 ERA.  Enlow is essentially on the fringe of what the Twins see as their future.  They view him as someone they wanted to protect from Rule 5,  but now that many rosters have been filling up,  there is much less of a risk someone will claim him.  He is the twins #20 prospect and is 2-3 years away.  

I am not sure about this.  You look at teams like Oakland or the Rockies (who can never sign pitchers), they may think, like the Twins do with Ortega and Pagan, that they can make him better.  I think it is more likely they have a trade worked out already and simply designated him now so they could sign Ortega without losing anyone else.

[Einheri]

I've been hoping that Enlow makes it for a long time now.  I guess the Twins either think that he will never make it or they're hoping he passes through unclaimed now that roster spaces have been filling up.

[baul0010]

1 hour ago, nicksaviking said:

Hendricks pitched three seasons for the Twins. Their foolishness stemmed from not trying him in the pen before cutting him loose. Looks like the Twins did start that with Enlow last year, but he was still in AA ball, and not doing well.

I'm not terribly worried about him becoming great. I'll also be a dissenter in saying that I think the odds of him getting claimed are less than 50%. The bloom has been off of his rose since 2019.

Hopefully it works for him with the Twins or another team.  I wonder if he wasn't struggling with arm issues we'll before he needed T.J. 

[Vanimal46]

I would have DFA’d Megill instead. Not gonna touch on Pagan, because it’s obvious the FO loves something about him that’s not evident to fans.