O's reach agreement with former draft pick Pedro Beato

By Steve Melewski

Orioles

March 03, 2015, 12:18pm

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Once a high draft pick of the Orioles, right-hander Pedro Beato has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the club, pending a physical. The deal does not include an invitation to major league spring camp.

The 28-year-old Beato, who has pitched in the majors with the Mets, Red Sox and Braves, was the 32nd overall selection by the Orioles in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft.

He spent four seasons pitching in the O's organization from 2006-10. After he went 4-0 with a 2.11 ERA in 43 games for Double-A in Bowie in 2010, Beato was selected by the Mets in that December's Rule 5 draft.

Beato was originally drafted in the 17th round of the 2005 draft by the Mets out of a Brooklyn, N.Y., high school, but did not sign. The O's took him the following year out of St. Petersburg (Fla.) Junior College with a supplemental first-round pick and signed him to a $1 million bonus.

He spent most of the 2014 season with Atlanta's Triple-A Gwinett affiliate, going 2-0 with a 4.10 ERA and six saves. In 48 1/3 innings, he gave up 43 hits with 17 walks and 45 strikeouts.

He pitched in three games last year for Atlanta, working 4 1/3 scoreless innings with three walks and three strikeouts.

Beato is 4-2 with a 4.34 ERA in 84 major league games since 2011. Over 93 1/3 innings, he has allowed 85 hits with 37 walks and 59 strikeouts.

If he passes his physical, Beato's signing could become official as early as tomorrow. He would then report to the Orioles minor league camp at Twin Lakes Park in Sarasota, Fla.