The Orioles announced today that the club has claimed outfielder Sam Hilliard off waivers from the Braves. In a corresponding move, right-hander Joey Krehbiel has been designated for assignment. Meanwhile, the Braves announced that they’ve assigned infielder Andrew Velazquez and right-hander Ben Heller outright to the minors. Both Velazquez and Heller figure to reach minor league free agency later this month, though Heller has the requisite service time to elect free agency early, should he so choose.
The Braves picked up Hilliard last offseason in a trade with the Rockies, sending right-hander Dylan Spain to Colorado in exchange for the outfielder. Hilliard played for the Rockies in parts of four seasons, from 2019-22. The lefty-batter showed off plus power, but otherwise, his offensive skills were lacking. He played capable defense in all three outfield spots, although his glove was most valuable in left.
In 40 games for Atlanta this past season, his bat was the best it’s been since his rookie campaign, although his numbers were slightly inflated by an unsustainable .389 batting average on balls in play. Still, Hilliard was a serviceable fifth outfielder through the first half of the year, posting a .725 OPS with a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage. Unfortunately, he landed on the IL with a right heel contusion in mid-July, an injury that ultimately ended his season. In 2024, he will look to pick up where he left off with his new team.
The Orioles have no shortage of outfield options on the 40-man roster, including veterans Anthony Santander, Cedric Mullins, and Austin Hays, as well as rookies Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad. However, neither Cowser nor Kjerstad has proven himself at the major league level just yet, and it’s possible that one or both could open the 2024 campaign in Triple-A, instead of sitting on the big league bench. Alternatively, the Orioles could be planning to trade from a position of strength, perhaps to acquire more pitching this winter. That would make room for a backup outfielder like Hilliard on the roster, although he will still have to compete with Ryan McKenna, Terrin Vavra, and Kyle Stowers for playing time.
Krehbiel, 30, finally surpassed rookie limitations in 2022 after 11 years of professional baseball. The righty was successful as a low-leverage reliever for the Orioles, pitching 57 2/3 innings with a 3.90 ERA. However, he struggled in higher-leverage spots and posted large platoon splits, struggling to retire left-handed batters. He spent most of the 2023 campaign at Triple-A, unable to earn a spot in Baltimore’s talented bullpen. Should Krehbiel clear waivers, he will be eligible to reject an outright assignment in favor of free agency.
The Braves claimed Velazquez off waivers from the Angels in September to serve as middle infield depth, although he never saw time with the big league club. The 29-year-old shortstop will be out of options in 2024, so it’s not too surprising that Atlanta decided to clear him from the 40-man roster. In 54 games for the Angels this year, he hit .173 with a 52 wRC+ and -0.1 FanGraphs WAR.
Heller came over to the Braves in a midseason trade with the Rays, and Atlanta gave him his first chance to pitch in a big league game since 2020. The righty was a capable low-leverage reliever over the final months of the season, pitching to a 3.86 ERA in 19 appearances. However, he, too, will be out of minor league options next year. Both Heller and Velazquez had been non-tender candidates ahead of their first years of arbitration eligibility.
Pit stop to free agency for Hilliard unless he gets claimed by another team. The Orioles have a log jam in the OF as is
Hence the entire paragraph talking about the possibility of a trade or competing for a spot.
No loss there. Kid has pop but strikes out a ton and was hurt most of the season.
As much as I like Hilliard, I can’t argue with either your criticism or the assessment above.
While too much time may have passed, I remember reading that Hilliard was more focused on either basketball or football until very late in his amateur career. Perhaps there’s still a slight chance that Hilliard can be a late bloomer with one more season of AAA or MLB reps?
It’s possible. He’s got a cannon of an arm and can hit the ball very far but seems like a AAAA player. Maybe he figures it out. Still young.
Nice to know he has a cannon for an arm
That is an issue, even with a Logged Jam Outfield
Hop on pop
Always liked Hilliard, hope he finds his way to some ABs.
Ben “Heller” good control—
4 wild pitches in 18 2/3 IP
❌❌❌❌
Heller has a career 149 ERA+ he’ll be the Orioles Closer before the next Presidential Inauguration
Well, since he’s on the Braves, that would be a feat.
The O’s new Ryan O’hearn version of 2024?
That’s exactly what I was thinking. No real risk giving the opportunity to make an impact. I mean injuries and slumps are a constant thing every team has to deal with.
So Hicks is gone? The 4 outfielders now with MLB exp are Santander, Mullins, Hays … and Hilliard? Cowser and Hjistead are the call ups.
Hope Hicks is not gone. Hyde seemed to like him in his role and I am hoping whatever Bronx demons he exercised after getting a fresh chance. I think he could continue to be a good influence on the youngsters, at least for 1 more season. I get the roster crunch, but it’ll be interesting what major league pieces the O’s package for the elusive SP and bullpen upgrade they need to fight back to 1st place in the ALE.
Santander may get moved…
I’m very impressed with the Orioles recent ability to turn struggling bats or platoon players to above average major leaguers!
If they could help him with better pitch selection and ability to make contact, he could be a decent 4th OF. Guys got some thunder on his bat and he’s got a little bit of speed. Definitely worth a flyer.
Would have been nice depth for my White Sox.
I am Sam I am
What in the sam hill iard is going on on around here?
I love these dad jokes XD
The short amt Sam played for us he was very valuable. You can see the talent there but has a hard time of consistently putting it together.
Other moves were pretty expected
So playing off the bench, inconsistently, provided inconsistent results. Who’d have thought?
Both Heller and Velazquez can elect free agency in the next 3 days due to having other 3 years of service time. They don’t need to wait to become minor league free agents on Monday at the earliest (depending on if the Rangers clinch tonight)
Chipper jones is very high on Hilliard thinks he could easily be a 30/30 man. I would love to see him get about 400-500 at bats without pressure and see what he can produce.
@Ben
High praise from a legend. Hope he’s right, for the O’s sake.
“However, he, too, will be out of minor league options next year.”
Um, is this a list? Using commas around too is archaic and unnecessary.
I suspect this is the last year of Hays, Mullins, and Santander roaming the outfield together. I hate to see any of them go, but I suspect Santander will have a bigger return for a starter.
The waiver merry-go-round begins