Orioles acquire Monell from Giants for cash

The Orioles acquired catcher Johnny Monell from the Giants on Saturday in exchange for cash considerations.

The 27-year-old Monell hit .275 with 20 home runs and 64 RBIs in 121 games for Triple-A Fresno last season. He also played in eight games for the Giants in 2013, batting .125 with one RBI.

"He's a pretty good hitter, had a good year with bat, [is] a left-handed hitter with some pop," Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette told The Baltimore Sun. "We like the way he swings the bat. … He continues to improve his skills and he looks like he is ready to contribute in the Major Leagues."

During his time in the Giants' organization, Monell hit .267 with 77 home runs and 332 RBIs in 641 games. Monell was selected by the Giants in the 30th round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft out of Seminole Community College in Florida.

"He's a capable receiver; he threw out 40 percent of baserunners a couple years ago," Duquette told the Sun. "And he knows his way around a batter's box."