SARASOTA, Fla. -- The Orioles announced a trio of signings on Monday morning, including a big league camp invite for outfielder Alex Presley. The O's, who also signed infielders Corban Joseph and Sharlon Schoop to Minor League deals (both will be in Minor League camp), have been trying to add a left-handed bat to their roster.
"It's one of those things where things looked like they matched up well with the opportunity," said Presley, who will make $1.1 million if he makes the club. "It's been a long offseason for a lot of people. [I] felt like this was the opportunity that was going to be the best and just went with it.
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Presley, who will be a non-roster invitee, bats left-handed though his splits are fairly even. He had 245 at-bats for the Tigers in 2017, playing in 71 games and batting .314 with three home runs, 20 RBIs, 30 runs scored and five stolen bases. Presley hit .321/.360/.437 vs. righties (230 at-bats) and .267/.313/.267 in 30 at-bats against lefties last season and he credited the more consistent playing time to his success.
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"Presley is a veteran Major League hitter who should add to our club, especially against right-handed pitchers," executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said.
The 32-year-old joins outfielder Jaycob Brugman as the only pure left-handed-hitting outfielders in camp.
"He had a good year last year statistically. Another player that could make our club," Orioles manager Buck Showalter said of Presley, who has an assignment clause on March 24 (if he's not on the 40-man roster) and an opt out on May 15.
"I know he lives over at Lakewood Ranch [in neighboring Bradenton]. I talked to some people with the Tigers that are no longer with the Tigers, that's the best people to talk to. I have a pretty good idea [about him], but I'll try to go in with an open mind."
Joseph is the younger brother of O's catcher Caleb Joseph, while Schoop is the older brother of second baseman Jonathan Schoop. Both have previously been in the club's Minor League system with Corban playing at Double-A Bowie in 2015 and '16 and Sharlon spending part of the past four seasons in the Orioles' system.
Presley's addition gives the O's 62 players in Major League camp.