Orioles sign Xavier Avery to minor league deal

By Roch Kubatko

Orioles

December 21, 2015, 6:45am

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The Orioles continue seeking ways to improve their organizational depth while also planning a reunion of sorts.

A club official confirmed today that the Orioles signed outfielder Xavier Avery to a minor league contract. It's assumed that the deal includes an invitation to spring training.

Avery was a second-round pick by the Orioles in the 2008 draft, one spot before they selected L.J. Hoes. Both players have returned to the organization, with Hoes coming last month in a trade with the Astros.

The Orioles traded Avery to the Mariners on Aug. 30, 2013 for Michael Morse, a deal that didn't pan out for either side. Morse showed up with a wrist injury and collected only three hits in 29 at-bats.

Avery, who turns 26 on New Year's Day, batted .223/.305/.340 in 32 games with the Orioles in 2012. That's the extent of his major league experience.

Avery played for three organizations this summer, combining for 124 games with Triple-A Toledo (Tigers), Triple-A Rochester (Twins) and Triple-A Sacramento (Giants). He was released twice and granted free agency.

The Orioles selected Brian Matusz in the first round of the 2008 draft and catcher Caleb Joseph in the seventh. In between, they chose Avery, Hoes, outfielder Kyle Hudson, shortstop Greg Miclat and left-hander Richard Zagone.

Pitcher Bobby Bundy, the older brother of top prospect Dylan Bundy, was taken in the eighth round and pitcher Oliver Drake was selected in the forty-third. Bundy is a free agent and Drake is on the 40-man roster with a chance to compete for a bullpen spot in spring training.