The Orioles have signed first baseman/outfielder Adam Walker to a minor-league deal, according to Rock Kubatko of MASNsports.com (via Twitter). Walker was evidently cut loose by the Braves, who had claimed him off waivers from the O’s over the winter.
Walker, 25, took a ride around the league on the waiver wire before settling in Atlanta, where he ended up being outrighted. But the Braves didnt see much out of the high-power, high-K slugger. Through 99 plate appearances, split between Triple-A and Double-A, he managed just 11 base hits and eight walks while going down 39 times by way of strikeout.
Though there’s no questioning Walker’s power — he has handily topped twenty home runs in each of his full minor-league seasons — it’s highly questionable whether he’ll ever make enough contact and draw enough walks to make it to the majors. With a lifetime .305 on-base percentage in the minors, and little in the way of value on the bases or in the field, he’ll have to make strides to earn his way onto the O’s roster. That said, the Baltimore organization has perhaps relied more on such players than any team in baseball in recent years, so it seems a rather ideal fit for Walker.
Struck out 40% of the time in Double A Mississippi, while hitting .125, that isn’t good by any means. He will have to cut the strikeouts down to stay on a double a roster, let alone have a shot at the majors.
Wouldn’t bet against the brilliance of Dan Duquette.
Brilliance?
WAY too small of a sample size to even pay attention to. He has been consistent for several years in AA and AAA.
Wouldn’t call not hitting above .250 since 2013 consistent, maybe consistently bad. I hope he does well, but the numbers just don’t support him.
Nice depth piece that would hit for even better power in AL East parks than he did in Rochester and Chatanooga, two pitchers parks and leagues.
The next Mark Trumbo. He’ll hit 40 home runs next year for the O’s.
Adam Walker was never a part of the Orioles organization. I think you were referring to Christian Walker, who is with Arizona now
No I think they have just been following MLB transactions a lot better than you. It’s kind of their job.
Got claimed on December 2nd by the Os and DFAd for Trumbo when he was signed.
That is correct!
As a braves fan I was really rooting for him. God knows we could use the power… but you got to make contact man.
I’d sure hate to be the one to do his taxes