BALTIMORE -- The holiday season may have already ended, but Monday brought the arrival of “Big Christmas” to Baltimore.
The Orioles claimed outfielder Jhonkensy Noel off waivers from the Guardians, who designated the 24-year-old for assignment on Dec. 17. It marks a fresh start for the former prospect after a promising beginning to his big league career was followed by a disappointing 2025 season.
Owner of one of the best nicknames in baseball -- a reference to his holiday-related last name -- Noel arrived in the big leagues in memorable fashion. On June 26, 2024, the right-handed slugger homered in his first MLB plate appearance. Coincidentally, it came at Camden Yards against former O’s right-hander Grayson Rodriguez.
Noel hit .218 with 13 home runs, 28 RBIs and a .774 OPS in 67 games in 2024. Then, his popularity in Cleveland further increased in the postseason, thanks to a game-tying two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series vs. the Yankees, when the Guardians were down to their final out. (Cleveland won the game in the 10th inning, though it lost the series in five games.)
Last year, Noel couldn’t build on his solid debut campaign. The 24-year-old hit .162 with six home runs, 13 RBIs and a .480 OPS in 69 games, resulting in him getting optioned to Triple-A Columbus twice during the summer. Noel hit .273 with 12 home runs, 39 RBIs and an .831 OPS in 61 Triple-A games last season.
In Baltimore, Noel will be reunited with Craig Albernaz, who is entering his first season as Orioles manager. Albernaz previously served as the right-hand man to Guardians skipper Stephen Vogt, working as bench coach in 2024, then as associate manager in ‘25.
The O’s have put an emphasis on adding right-handed power this offseason, signing first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract and acquiring Taylor Ward in a trade with the Angels. Noel could also help the club in that area, if he can eventually put it all together at the big league level.
It’s an interesting flier for Baltimore, which already has a crowded corner-outfield mix. Ward, Tyler O’Neill and Dylan Beavers are expected to get the majority of starts, while Jeremiah Jackson and former top prospect Heston Kjerstad also remain on the 40-man roster.
But it made sense for the Orioles to take a chance on Noel, especially if Albernaz’s familiarity with the slugger can help get “Big Christmas” back on track. Noel will get a chance to make a positive impression during Spring Training, which begins in mid-February.
The O’s DFA’d right-hander George Soriano to make room for Noel on the 40-man roster.