Orioles lose Adam Walker to waiver claim

Outfielder Adam Walker is taking his all-or-nothing approach to another organization. It still isn't safe to unpack his bags or send out his laundry.

The Braves have claimed Walker off waivers from the Orioles, who designated him for assignment on Friday to create a spot on the 40-man roster for Mark Trumbo. To make room on the 40-man, the Braves waived catcher Tuffy Gosewich, who was claimed by the Mariners.

The Orioles claimed Walker, 25, off waivers from the Brewers in December after he spent five seasons in the Twins organization. The Braves are his fourth organization since the offseason commenced.

Walker hit 27 home runs last year at Triple-A Rochester to rank second in the International League. His .479 slugging percentage ranked sixth. However, he also led the minors with 202 strikeouts.

Walker, a former third-round pick out of Jacksonville University, has hit 124 home runs in 584 minor league games. He totaled 31 doubles, seven triples, 27 home runs and 109 RBIs in 552 plate appearances with Single-A Cedar Rapids in 2013; 19 doubles, one triple, 25 home runs and 94 RBIs in 554 plate appearances with high Single-A Fort Myers in 2014; and 31 doubles, three triples, 31 home runs and 106 RBIs in 560 plate appearances with Double-A Chattanooga in 2015.

The strikeout totals get most of the attention, however. He's fanned 115, 156, 195 and 202 times in the last four years.

The Orioles and Braves continue to do business with each other, including how former pitching coach Dave Wallace and bullpen coach Dom Chiti took jobs with Atlanta and Roger McDowell replaced Wallace in Baltimore. It doesn't qualify as a trade, but the connection is real.

The Orioles claimed left-hander Jed Bradley off waivers from the Braves on Oct. 7 and later designated him for assignment. The Braves recently signed Xavier Avery to a minor league deal after he spent the 2016 season at Triple-A Norfolk. And who can forget the Brian Matusz trade on May 23, 2016 that brought minor league pitchers Brandon Barker and Trevor Belicek.

Matusz remains a free agent this winter.

Who's old enough to remember the Orioles acquiring catcher Earl "Big Money" Williams and third baseman Taylor Duncan from the Braves on Nov. 30, 1972 for Pat Dobson, Davey Johnson, Johnny Oates and Roric Harrison?

Williams was a bust, his lack of production rivaling his poor attitude. Johnson hit 43 home runs the following season, blowing past his career high of 18.

The Orioles needed to make room for second baseman Bobby Grich and Williams was the National League's Rookie of the Year in 1971.