Michael Ohlman on being traded by the Orioles

Sometimes when a minor league player is traded, it doesn't make big news. It might not be mentioned very much on MLB Network or ESPN and to some fans may just be a line or two in the transactions list.

But we should never forget those are players whose lives have been changed by those deals. Like the rest of us, they develop close friendships in the workplace and have mixed emotions when change comes their way.

Take Michael Ohlman, for instance. He was drafted by the Orioles in the 11th round in 2009 out of Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton, Fla. He was on the O's farm for six seasons, playing 465 games in places like the Gulf Coast League, Bluefield, Single-A Delmarva, Single-A Frederick and last year at Double-A Bowie.

Ohlman was designated for assignment and removed from the 40-man roster a week ago when the Orioles acquired outfielder Travis Snider. Yesterday, he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for cash considerations.

Just like that the 24-year-old right-handed hitting catcher has to leave behind the only organization he has ever known and switch one bird for another.

"I didn't really know what to expect going into it. I didn't know what all the rules were, being designated. I understood they were going to wait seven days until they put me through waivers. We never got that far," Ohlman said in a phone interview last night.

"But, you know, I've been with them ever since 2009 when I signed out of high school. They've given everything to me. They've given me every opportunity to succeed. Today is kind of bittersweet, but now I'm excited for a fresh start."

The summer before that 2009 First-Year Player Draft, Ohlman gained attention for his play and raw power on a travel team that included Wil Myers. The Orioles gave him an overslot bonus of $995,000 to sign and bypass his college commitment to the University of Miami.

His bat really took off in 2013. He won the Carolina League batting title with Frederick, hitting .313/.410/.524 with 29 doubles, four triples, 13 home runs and 53 RBIs in 100 games. His slugging percentage was a Keys single-season record.

Ohlman was one of eight players from the Orioles helped the Surprise Saguaros win the Arizona Fall League championship in November 2013, and later that month he was added to the club's 40-man roster.

Last season as a Double-A rookie for Bowie, Ohlman batted .236/.310/.318 with two home runs and 33 RBIs in 113 games. His OPS fell from .934 with Frederick in 2013 to .628 last year.

He was rated by Baseball America as the Orioles' No. 15 prospect after 2009, No. 9 after 2013 and No. 19 after last season.

When we spoke last night, he was still sorting through an emotional day, one where there had to be both sadness to leave behind one family but excitement to join another.

"I'm not really sure it has sunk in yet," he said. "My phone has been going crazy. Bunch of friends call and text, and everyone has been wishing me the best. No hard feelings. I understand it is a business and you have to do what you have to. This might be the best thing for me as my career grows. Very excited to get to spring training, meet everybody and impress some fresh eyes. Just do my best.

"This is another organization with a great history, just like the Orioles. I got a taste of FanFest last year and with St. Louis, the fanbase is huge. I'm already getting a lot of welcomes on social media. Excited to see what the future holds."

Ohlman lives near the Orioles' spring home in Sarasota, Fla., and he worked out this winter at Ed Smith Stadium. He had even continued that after being designated for assignment. He checked to make sure he could still work out at an O's facility and he could. But not anymore. He cleaned out his locker last night.

He said he had no hard feelings toward the Orioles and I asked him to try to summarize his six years with the club.

"I understand it's a business and this is the hard side of it. I've had a great six years with them. Absolutely no hard feelings," Ohlman said.

"I think about people that have come and gone just like I have and more importantly people that have been there and seen my progression throughout these six years like (director of player development) Brian Graham and (catching instructor) Donnie Werner, who I've been close with this entire time.

"You never forget the people that helped you along the way. But there is always something new out there and I'm not afraid to go out and get it."