University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Wigginton Signs With Orioles
02.11.2009 | Baseball
BALTIMORE - Former UNC Asheville baseball player Ty Wigginton signed a two-year contract with the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday. The deal is reportedly worth $6 million over two years.
Wigginton, a former 17th-round Draft pick, is expected to play a super-reserve role with Baltimore. The Orioles have a well-defined infield with four clearly entrenched starters -- first baseman Aubrey Huff, second baseman Brian Roberts, third baseman Melvin Mora and shortstop Cesar Izturis -- but Wigginton should still find plenty of at-bats.
In fact, he may play such a heavy role that he could affect the team's existing roster structure. Baltimore had been deliberating whether to carry 12 or 13 pitchers, but neither Wigginton nor Ryan Freel is able to play shortstop. That may cause the Orioles to keep a true utilityman, allowing Freel and Wigginton to concentrate on other roles.
Wigginton, a career .270 hitter with 110 home runs in seven seasons, is coming off a career year. The right-handed hitter split time between left field and third base with the Houston Astros, batting .285 with 23 home runs in just 386 at-bats. Baltimore designated Scott Moore for assignment to make room for Wigginton on the 40-man roster.
He set career highs with 24 home runs and 79 RBIs with Tampa Bay in 2006 and has batted at least .275 while hitting at least 20 doubles and 20 home runs in each of the last three seasons.
Over seven major-league campaigns, Wigginton has played for the New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Rays and Astros
"I'm really happy for Ty," said UNC Asheville baseball coach Willie Stewart. Stewart played with Wigginton at UNC Asheville. "He felt all along that he would get picked up somewhere. Ty is looking forward to playing for the Orioles."
Some information in this story came from mlb.com.
