SARASOTA, Fla. -- A surprise contender has emerged in the battle for the final spot on the Orioles' bench.
In a competition with Jeremiah Jackson and Luis Vázquez as the favorites -- and with Weston Wilson in the mix as well -- Bryan Ramos has pushed his way into the conversation. The Cuban infielder is only 24, but he is out of Minor League options, so he would need to make the team to avoid being exposed to waivers, unlike Jackson and Vázquez.
Ramos is doing his best in attempting to break camp with Baltimore. In 11 Grapefruit League games, he has hit .345 (10-for-29) with three doubles, one home run and three RBIs.
That one homer also came against a future Hall of Famer, as Ramos took Justin Verlander deep during the 1-1 tie between the O's and Tigers on Tuesday afternoon. Verlander threw three straight four-seam fastballs to get Ramos in a 1-2 hole, before Ramos pounced on a fourth heater -- a 95.8 mph four-seamer down the middle of the strike zone -- and jolted it a Statcast-projected 396 feet at an exit velocity of 104.8 mph.
"I was ready for that ball because he threw two that I was late on and I was thinking, ‘He’s probably going to do the same,'" Ramos said. "Basically, that was pretty much it."
Simple as that -- much like Ramos' offensive approach throughout his first Spring Training with the Orioles.
"Every player tries to prepare the best they can for the season, to come here and compete. I’ve just come in every day trying to have good at-bats, and that’s what I’m looking for," Ramos said. "They’re a good thing to have."
Some Baltimore fans may not be too familiar with Ramos. So, who is he?
Ramos signed with the White Sox as an international free agent in July 2018. He reached the big leagues with Chicago, playing 32 games in '24 and four more in '25. He hit .198 with six doubles, three home runs, 13 RBIs and a .577 OPS.
However, the White Sox designated Ramos for assignment on Jan. 29, beginning a whirlwind of transactions. He was traded to the Orioles in exchange for cash considerations on Feb. 1, DFA'd again and claimed off waivers by the Cardinals on Feb. 6.
After St. Louis DFA'd Ramos on Feb. 16, Baltimore claimed the infielder off waivers four days later.
"It was a little different," Ramos said. "I know this is a business and anything can happen. So you’ve got to have your mind in the right place and be ready to play wherever you’re going."
O's manager Craig Albernaz was already familiar with Ramos before he joined the organization. From Sept. 9-11, 2024, Ramos had one of his best series as a big leaguer, going 3-for-11 with a home run, two RBIs, two runs scored and a walk against the Guardians. Albernaz was Cleveland's bench coach at the time.
"I’ve seen the flashes of his tools," Albernaz said. "In this camp, to see him up close and personal, the talent is as advertised. With any player, it’s all about consistency, right? For him, it’s just being consistent, both on offense and defense. That’s something that he’s been focusing on."
Ramos' first nine defensive appearances this spring came at third base, his primary position. But on Tuesday, he started at second base, where he hadn't made a start since 2022, when he was in the Minors.
"If I keep getting reps at the position, I’m going to be more comfortable with time," Ramos said.
The increased versatility could help boost Ramos' case to make the team. But the competition is stiff.
Jackson came into camp as a front-runner because of his strong hit tool, and the 25-year-old can play second, third and right field. The 26-year-old Vázquez can play anywhere in the infield and is the best defensive player among those competing for the final bench spot. Wilson, 31, is capable of playing all over the infield and in the corner outfield, and he's hitting .286 with a .988 OPS this spring.
But Ramos' play has added another option for the O's to consider. And even if he doesn't make the team, he's at least made the decision a bit tougher.
"He’s been making strides, and the tools stand out and the athleticism stands out with him," Albernaz said. "He’s been a great surprise."