Orioles sign Cuban outfielder Henry Urrutia to Minor League contract

The Orioles today announced that they have signed 25-year old Cuban outfielder HENRY URRUTIA to a minor league contract.  He will be assigned to Double-A Bowie after reporting to Sarasota.

Urrutia played for Las Tunas in the Cuban League from 2006 to 2010.  He batted .350 (394-1127) with 209 runs, 72 doubles, nine triples, 33 home runs and 219 RBI in his age 19-23 seasons.  He set career-highs in average (.397; 121-for-305), on-base percentage (.461), slugging percentage (.597), hits (121), doubles (23), home runs (12) and RBI (76) in 2010.  Urrutia also represented Cuba in the 2010 World Championships.

The 6’5”, 195-pound switch-hitter was born on February 13, 1987.  His uncle, Osmani Urrutia, played professionally in Cuba and won five consecutive batting titles.  Henry was managed by his father when he played for Las Tunas.

Urrutia did not play in 2011 due to a suspension after an unsuccessful attempt at defection.  He established residency in Haiti after defecting from Cuba.