The Baltimore Orioles have claimed Miami Marlins outfielder Forrest Wall and designated veteran reliever Dillon Tate for assignment. In 2022, Tate was recognized as a solid reliever for the Orioles. But since landing on the IL, he hasn’t been able to pitch as much at the big-league level. On August 26th, the Marlins decided to designate Wall for assignment. Wall has also played for the Atlanta Braves. The Orioles have claimed him off waivers and added a player whose strong suit is his speed.
#Orioles get a guy with 93rd percentile sprint speed…https://t.co/gya5pQVYOy
— MLB Trade Rumors (@mlbtraderumors) August 28, 2024
Former Marlins Outfielder Claimed off Waivers by Orioles
What Wall Brings To The Table
The Orioles, who are in second place in the AL East, one game behind the New York Yankees, have boosted their roster. They have added a lefty bat and a player ranked in the 93rd percentile regarding sprint speed. The 28-year-old is also a former first-round pick drafted by the Colorado Rockies in 2014. The Orioles knew what they were doing when they claimed him off waivers. The Winter Park, Florida-born outfielder has showcased impressive numbers in Triple-A. The speedster has stolen 16 bases, along with a .380 on-base percentage.
With the Orioles claiming him off waivers, they can utilize his speed in the postseason. The Orioles want to make use of Wall’s healthy status with Heston Kjerstad, who is still recovering from a concussion. They have done their homework with their lack of speed on their roster; Wall is a solid pickup that will provide them with the much-needed boost of speed that they require. The Orioles have optioned Wall to Triple-A Norfolk, the only outfielder not injured. With his speed, Wall could also be put in as a pinch runner in critical situations. Wall is also an excellent player to put in against right-handed pitchers, as he has showcased success against them. Wall hasn’t only played in the outfield, but he also has experience playing as an infielder at second base.
Main Photo Credits: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
