The Baltimore Orioles are on the hunt for outfield help, and MASN Sports’ Roch Kubatko reports that the team could be interested in a reunion with free agent L.J. Hoes.
Hoes was once a highly-regarded outfield prospect with the Orioles, and earned brief call-ups in 2012 and 2013. He played just one game for Baltimore during his 2013 call-up, however, before being traded to the Houston Astros in a trade for pitcher Bud Norris.
More from Call to the Pen
- Philadelphia Phillies, ready for a stretch run, bomb St. Louis Cardinals
- Philadelphia Phillies: The 4 players on the franchise’s Mount Rushmore
- Boston Red Sox fans should be upset over Mookie Betts’ comment
- Analyzing the Boston Red Sox trade for Dave Henderson and Spike Owen
- 2023 MLB postseason likely to have a strange look without Yankees, Red Sox, Cardinals
Hoes has a successful stretch after going to Houston in 2013, hitting .287 in 46 games with seven doubles, two triples, a homer and seven stolen bases. The 25-year-old struggled in 2014, however, hitting .172 in 55 games, and has since spent the majority of his time at AAA.
The Orioles reportedly have their sights set on some higher-profile outfield acquisitions, namely Jay Bruce and Nick Markakis, though Hoes would represent a quality depth signing that could compete for playing time if Baltimore fails to add a bigger name. Hoes was previously a third-round pick by the Orioles in 2008, and came up as a second baseman, so he could also provide infield depth and speed off the bench even if he doesn’t end up with a starting job.
Next: Braves Bring Back David Carpenter
There aren’t any reports out there mentioning serious discussions between the two parties, but Kubatko reports that ex-Oriole teammates and front office personnel alike want to bring the outfielder back to Baltimore. Hoes is a native of the Washington D.C. area, and was drafted by the Orioles out of St. John’s High School in the nation’s capital.