Michael Ohlman

Ohlman had a nice season for Double-A Springfield last year. The 25 year-old was acquired last offseason from Baltimore for cash, and he will likely continue to serve as organizational depth at Double-A. Ohlman is a 2009 11th-round draft pick with a 6-foot-4 frame, decent power and a solid eye. He's blocked at all levels above him plus the Cardinals are grooming prospect Carson Kelly, who likely will see time at Double-A this season as well. Even if everything was to break his way the Cardinals would almost certainly bring in a free-agent catcher to play in front of him.

Ohlman saw his production fall off a cliff with the move from High-A Frederick to Double-A Bowie in 2014. His OPS plummeted by more than 300 points, from .934 in 2013 to .627, and he finished with a measly two home runs, falling 11 shy of his 2013 total despite playing in 13 more games (30 additional plate appearances). The struggles continued into the Arizona Fall League season, with Ohlman hitting just .244/.304/.366 with three extra-base hits and a 4:15 BB:K in 12 games. At 6-foot-5, 217-pounds, Ohlman is big for his position and doesn't bring much athleticism to the table, but he has a strong enough arm to stick behind the plate. He is still just 24, so there is some hope that he can put it together offensively. If that ever materializes, it will have to happen outside of the Baltimore organization, as he was designated for assignment in February and subsequently traded to St. Louis. Look for him to spend a repeat season at the Double-A level.

A 2009 draft pick, Ohlman toiled for three years in the lower levels of the minor leagues before taking a small step forward late in 2012. That was just a prelude to his 2013 season in which he slashed .313/.410/.524. Ohlman moved on to the Arizona Fall League where he hit four home runs in 31 at-bats and was rewarded by being added to the 40-man roster to be protected from the Rule 5 draft. Even though there are only three catchers on the 40-man roster, the Orioles will not rush Ohlman and he should start the season at Double-A in 2014. If the Orioles cannot find a way to sign Matt Wieters to a long-term deal, Ohlman appears to be the organization's catcher of the future.