The Braves added some power-hitting potential by claiming minor-league corner outfielder Adam Walker off waivers from the Orioles on Thursday. He took the 40-man roster spot of catcher Tuffy Gosewisch after Gosewisch was claimed off waivers by Seattle.
Walker, 25, hit .243 with 27 home runs for the Twins’ Triple-A Rochester affiliate in 2016, the fourth time in four full seasons that he hit at least 25 homers. He also struck out a career-high 202 times in 478 at-bats and had 44 walks and a .305 OBP.
The Braves are the third team to claim Walker off waivers this winter, after Milwaukee claimed him from the Twins in November and Baltimore claimed him in December.
A third-round draft pick by Minnesota in 2012, the 6-foot-5 Milwaukee native played five minor league seasons in the Twins organization and hit .251 with 20 triples, 124 home runs and 429 RBIs in 584 games, with 744 strikeouts and 189 walks in 2,449 plate appearances.
Walker hit .239 with a career-high 31 home runs and 106 RBIs for Double-A Chattanooga (Twins) in 2015, striking out 195 times in 502 at-bats.
