Orioles release over a dozen players; Cooper Chandler retires
*Cover Photo Credit: Grant DeVivo
The Orioles made some transactions recently in their Minor League organization. Sadly, the majority of it has to do with releasing players. Many players were let go from the Dominican Summer League teams, though some were cut loose from the upper levels as well.
Here is a full recap of recent transactions completed in the Orioles Minor League organization.
Released
The following players have been released out of the four developmental Minor League levels of the Orioles' Minor League system.

IF Isaac De Leon: the 23-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic was acquired from the Marlins in 2020. He had spent the past two seasons at High-A Aberdeen where he compilled 25 extra base hits and 50 runs scored. He had a .544 OPS in 21 games for Aberdeen in 2024 before a hand injury in May ended his season and ultimately led to his release.
RHP Graham Firoved: the Virginia Beach native was plucked by the Orioles in the 16th round of the 2022 draft. Reaching as high as Aberdeen, he tallied 82 career Minor League innings while posting a 6.59 ERA and 94 strikeouts. In 2024, even amidst an elavated 5.84 ERA, hitters only posted a .219 batting average against him.
OF Shayne Fontana: the left-handed hitting outfielder had stuck around in Birdland for a while since being drafted in the 23rd round in 2019. He spent all of 2024 with Triple-A, he posted a .627 OPS in 73 games with 17 RBI and 11 stolen bases. In 5 seasons in the Orioles organization, he hit .246 with a .734 OPS, 57 stolen bases, and 152 RBI.
UT Ryan Higgins: the Californian was a 9th round pick by the Orioles in 2021. He was developed into a well-rounded defensive specialist and utility man who could fill in at any position at any given time. Higgins posted a .637 OPS over four seasons in the Orioles organization. He collected 61 extra base hits and fell just short of 100 career RBI. He'll sit at 98 RBI in the Orioles organization.
RHP Justin Showalter: the Harrisonburg, Virginia native had just completed his first professional season in the Orioles organization in 2024, and it was a solid campaign. In eight games (27 IP) for Low-A Demarva, he posted a 2.67 ERA while striking out 27 batters.
The following players were released out of the Dominican Summer League Orioles.
RHP Ezequiel Bonilla
2B Sebastian De Los Santos
IF Wander Frias
LHP Ledwin Gonzalez
RHP Guachi Jules
OF Juan Martinez
RHP Oscar Moreta
OF Elvis Rojas
RHP Wilton Rondon
LHP Andy Tena
The Florida Coast League also released catcher
Carlos Rodriguez.
Retired
The Orioles' MiLB transaction portal also announced that right-handed pitcher Cooper Chandler has retired from professional baseball.
Chandler was a standout pitcher at both Pepperdine and Rice Universities before the Orioles signed him in 2022. He ended up spending three seasons in the Orioles organization, reaching as high as Aberdeen. In 120.2 innings of Minor League work, Chandler posted a respectable 3.80 ERA with a 1.268 WHIP, 127 strikeouts, and just 38 walks. 2024 was by far his best season, though it was affected by the injury bug. In 27.2 innings, he posted a 2.60 ERA while striking out 35 batters.
Best wishes to Cooper in his future endeavors and his next chapter after baseball.
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