Orioles' latest waiver claim could be an impact bench piece in October

Forrest Wall is heading to his third organization in 2024

Miami Marlins v Atlanta Braves
Miami Marlins v Atlanta Braves | Todd Kirkland/GettyImages

The Baltimore Orioles have claimed outfielder Forrest Wall off of waivers today from the Miami Marlins. Wall is another left handed hitter that has been added to the 40 man roster and has been assigned to AAA Norfolk. He will likely serve as a depth piece.

Wall was a first round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies out of high school back in 2014. He spent parts of five seasons in the Rockies organization, reaching AA before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays in 2018.

Wall continued to grow as a player reaching AAA and getting an invite to spring training in 2021. However, Wall wasn’t able to reach the potential that made him a first round draft choice and the Blue Jays released him after the season.

Forrest Wall could be an impact bench piece for the Orioles in October

The Seattle Mariners took a chance on Wall and signed him in 2022, also giving him a spring training invite. Wall spent the entire season with the Mariners AAA club and after failing to reach the majors in Seattle, Wall elected free agency and signed with the Atlanta Braves in 2023.

It was with Atlanta that Wall was able to break through to the major leagues. He bounced up and down between the Braves and their AAA affiliate, the Gwinnett Stripers, over the last season and a half before being claimed off waivers earlier this season by the Marlins. Wall made just three appearances in Miami before being put on waivers again.

In his limited time in the major leagues (50 plate appearances, 45 at-bats), Wall has a .311 batting average and great speed, stealing nine bases. He does have a high strikeout rate for someone who doesn’t have much power (61 homers in 920 professional games). If Wall does join the Orioles he will likely be used as a pinch runner, a role normally filled by Jorge Mateo, and possibly a defensive replacement. With Mateo's season now officially over, adding a speedster like Wall could be very beneficial in the post season.

Dillon Tate was designated for assignment in a corresponding move. Tate endeared himself to O's fans with a breakout 2022 season but has had some injury troubles and has not been the same since then.

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