The Orioles today announced that they have acquired outfielder L.J. Hoes from the Houston Astros in exchange for cash considerations. To make room on the 40-man roster, infielder Andy Wilkins has been designated for assignment.
Hoes, 25, batted .295/.383/.400 with 24 doubles, three triples, three home runs, and 53 RBI in 99 games with Triple-A Fresno last season, including a .375/.447/.515 slash line in 136 at-bats against left-handed pitchers. In 777 career minor league games, he has hit .288/.369/.383 with 29 home runs and 348 RBI over eight seasons. In 112 career major league games, Hoes has batted .237/.289/.328 with 12 doubles, two triples, four home runs, and 22 RBI. He was originally selected by the Orioles in the third round of the 2008 First-Year Player Draft out of St. John's High School (Washington, D.C.).
Wilkins, 27, batted .251/.315/.447 with 18 home runs and 79 RBI in 126 games between Triple-A Oklahoma City and Triple-A Buffalo in 2015. Wilkins was claimed off waivers by the Orioles from the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 6.