Orioles Outright Jhonkensy Noel, Clear 40-Man Roster Spot

The Baltimore Orioles keep tweaking their roster, and now they’ve made another low-risk, high-upside move. Outfielder Jhonkensy Noel cleared outright waivers and heads to Triple-A Norfolk, so he sticks around in the organization but drops off the 40-man roster.

That’s pretty much on-brand for the Orioles’ front office. They’ve gotten comfortable working the waiver wire, always looking for a bit of hidden value or a breakout bat.

Orioles Keep Jhonkensy Noel as Non-Roster Depth

The club confirmed Noel cleared waivers and will report to Norfolk. This way, they keep some depth without tying up a 40-man slot.

Baltimore’s done this a lot lately—cycling players through waivers, seeing who sticks, and hoping to unearth a gem.

Sometimes, it works out. Ryan O’Hearn, for example, came in as a low-cost flier and ended up contributing in a real way.

Noel’s probably hoping he can follow that path, though it’s never a guarantee.

A Familiar Strategy Under Mike Elias

Mike Elias and his crew have a knack for spotting overlooked players. They claim guys, run them through waivers, and stash them off the roster if possible.

It’s a way to build options without much risk—just keep shuffling until something clicks.

Noel fits right in: young, huge power, obvious flaws, but enough promise to take another look.

Power Has Never Been the Question

At 24, Noel’s calling card is clear: raw power. With Cleveland, he cracked 19 home runs in just 351 plate appearances over the past two years.

That’s a lot of pop for someone who hasn’t played much in the majors.

But power alone hasn’t landed him a regular job.

Major-League Struggles Tell the Story

His MLB numbers don’t flatter him. In those two seasons, he hit .193/.242/.401 with a 79 wRC+—well below average.

Plate discipline has been rough:

That’s a lot of chasing and not enough patience. He pretty much has to hit home runs to add value, and if the power isn’t there, the rest of his game doesn’t pick up the slack.

Limited Value Outside the Batter’s Box

It doesn’t help that Noel brings little else to the table. Defense? Below average. Baserunning? Not his thing.

Teams want versatility and two-way value these days, so one-dimensional guys have a tough time sticking. Cleveland let him go on waivers after he ran out of minor-league options for 2025, and it’s easy to see why.

Why Triple-A Norfolk Matters

Still, his minor-league stats offer a glimmer of hope. At Triple-A, he’s hit .285/.349/.538 with a 130 wRC+ in 536 plate appearances over two years.

That’s legit production, at least against Triple-A arms. He’s made enough contact and tapped into his power, which isn’t nothing.

A Crowded Path Back to Baltimore

Even if Noel rakes in Norfolk, the road back to Baltimore looks crowded. The Orioles have a jam-packed outfield and corner mix, loaded with both vets and prospects.

Here’s who he’s up against:

That’s a long list. Noel will need to do more than just hit home runs if he wants to stand out.

A Reclamation Project Worth Watching

Right now, the Orioles are hoping Noel sharpens his plate discipline. Cutting down on strikeouts is high on their wish list, too.

If he manages that, and his Triple-A numbers actually hold up, Baltimore might have found another sneaky value play. It’s a long shot—let’s be honest—but with that kind of power, Jhonkensy Noel is still a name to keep an eye on as the Orioles juggle contention and some creative roster shuffling.

 
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