The Baltimore Orioles have made a strategic move by acquiring minor league catcher Alex Jackson from the New York Yankees. In exchange, the Orioles will send international bonus pool money and may also send a player to be named later or cash considerations. Jackson has been added to the major league roster to address the team’s pressing needs at the catcher position.
Originally drafted as the No. 6 overall pick by the Seattle Mariners in the 2014 MLB draft, Jackson’s major league career thus far has been challenging. He holds a career batting average of .132 over 124 games played with teams including the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers, and Tampa Bay Rays. In total, he has registered six home runs and 24 RBIs while successfully catching 29.1 percent of attempted base stealers.
This acquisition is timely for the Orioles, who are currently facing significant injuries among their catching staff. Starting catcher Adley Rutschman is sidelined for at least the All-Star break due to a left oblique strain. Additionally, Maverick Handley is dealing with a concussion, and Chadwick Tromp is out with a back injury. Veteran Gary Sanchez recently left a game against the Braves with knee pain and has since been placed on the 10-day injured list due to a right knee sprain.
During his time at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Jackson demonstrated some offensive capability, batting .226 with 31 runs, seven doubles, one triple, 10 home runs, and 34 RBIs in 44 games this season. He also managed to throw out 26.3 percent of runners attempting to steal, highlighting his defensive skills behind the plate.
This move for the Orioles reflects their proactive approach to manage injuries and reinforce their roster depth, positioning them to stay competitive as the season progresses.