Orioles claim outfielder Adam Walker off waivers

The Orioles exhibited their love of power again today, claiming minor league corner outfielder Adam Walker off waivers from the Brewers.

Lots of power and contact issues.

Walker, a 25-year-old right-handed hitter, led the minors this year with 202 strikeouts in 531 plate appearances with Triple-A Rochester in the Twins organization. He also had 22 doubles, five triples, 27 home runs and 75 RBIs to go with a .243/.305/.479 slash line in 132 games.

Walker 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 always enter the conversation - 115, 156 and 195 in the three previous years.

Playing for Scottsdale last year in the Arizona Fall League, Walker went 18-for-75 (.240) with five home runs, 18 RBIs and 35 strikeouts.

Walker, a third-round pick in the 2012 draft out of Jacksonville University, is a career .251/.310/.486 hitter in five minor league seasons.

The Brewers claimed Walker off waivers on Nov. 18, but they designated him for assignment on Monday to make room for reliever Steve Geltz on their 40-man roster.

Baseball America ranked Walker as the Twins' No. 16, 17 and 17 prospect the past three seasons.

The Orioles have been busy this week, adding pitcher Logan Verrett on Wednesday and outfielder Logan Schafer yesterday. Schafer accepted a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

The Orioles have 37 players on their 40-man roster. A few players could be removed later today via non-tenders.

"Adam Walker has excellent power and good ability to drive in runs," executive vice president Dan Duquette wrote in a text message. "We look forward to him helping our team."