ATLANTA -- Adam Walker's offseason has been nearly as unique as his name. The former Twins prospect now counts the Braves as the fourth organization he has been a part of this offseason.
Looking to take a gamble on the outfielder's power potential, the Braves claimed Walker off waivers from the Orioles on Thursday afternoon. This move was simultaneously announced with the revelation that Atlanta lost catcher Tuffy Gosewisch to a waiver claim made by the Mariners.
The Braves' 40-man roster is at 39 after the claims, and it will be full once the team officially announces a one-year, $1.5 million deal with Kurt Suzuki, who will serve as Atlanta's backup catcher.
Walker batted .243 with 27 home runs and a .784 OPS for Minnesota's Triple-A Rochester affiliate last year. The 25-year-old right-handed slugger has tallied at least 25 home runs during each of his first four full seasons in the Minors. But he has also produced a .254 walk-to-strikeout ratio as he has struck out 744 times and drawn 189 walks through 2,449 plate appearances as a pro.
While collecting 560 plate appearances with Double-A Chattanooga in 2015, Walker tallied a career-high 31 homers, struck out 195 times and drew 51 walks. He hit 27 homers for Rochester last year but struck out 202 times and drew 44 walks over 531 plate appearances.
Walker has now been claimed off waivers three times since the end of the 2016 season. He was claimed by the Brewers on Nov. 18 and the Orioles on Dec. 2. Baltimore designated him for assignment on Jan. 20.