Jhonkensy Noel

The Orioles have reassigned first baseman/outfielder Jhonkensy Noel to minor league camp.

Fantasy Impact

The Orioles claimed Noel off waivers from the Guardians in January, and the 24-year-old had a nice camp by going 5-for-22 (.364) with a pair of homers and a double across 25 trips to the plate.

Noel (thumb) is attending Baltimore's big-league camp as a non-roster invitee. A pitch struck his right thumb during Friday's 10-2 loss to St. Louis, forcing him out late in the game.

Fantasy Impact

He returned to action on Sunday in a 1-0 loss to Toronto, going 1-for-1 while playing two innings at first base. Noel will start in right field and bat fifth in Monday's Grapefruit League game against Atlanta, marking his first outfield appearance since the thumb injury. He remains positioned on the outside of the Opening Day roster competition.

Noel (thumb) was outrighted from Baltimore's 40-man roster in January but has remained in big-league camp. He has gone 4-for-11 with one double, one walk and two strikeouts across eight spring games.

Fantasy Impact

A pitch struck him on the right thumb during the ninth inning of Friday's Grapefruit League game against St. Louis, forcing his exit. Noel told Jake Rill on Saturday that he would have remained in the game had it been a regular-season contest.

Jhonkensy Noel has been designated for assignment by the Baltimore Orioles. The move makes room for newly-acquired Marco Luciano on the 40-man roster.

Fantasy Impact

Noel was signed two days ago by the Orioles and now has been DFA'd. Noel has tremendous power, but strikes out at an alarming rate. If he clears waivers, he'll report to Triple-A Norfolk. However, more than likely, another club will claim him and take a chance on the power.

Jhonkensy Noel has been claimed off waivers by the Baltimore Orioles. Noel was designated for assignment by Cleveland last month. In a corresponding move, the Orioles designated righthander George Soriano for assignment.

Fantasy Impact

Noel, just 24 years old, has tremendous power, but has had trouble making contact. In 351 plate appearances with the Guardians over the last two seasons, Noel belted 19 home runs but had a walk rate of 4.8% and a strikeout rate of 32.8%. Those numbers led to a paltry .193 batting average with the Guardians, including just a .162 average in 153 plate appearances last season. The path to playing time in Baltimore will be hard for Noel, but, if he can improve his discipline at the plate, he could carve out a role. The power is certainly there to make things interesting.