Robertson, 28, has never played for the Orioles. He was placed on waivers from the Pirates in December. The Orioles like to claim players and later put them back on waivers, hoping to keep the player in a non-roster capacity. The positive side of this scenario was recently demonstrated by Ryan O’Hearn. The O’s acquired him from the Royals in January 2023. Two days later he was assigned to assignment and subsequently granted waivers. He earned his way back to the roster and spent more than two years as a key contributor for Baltimore.
Since this is Robertson’s first career and he has less than three years in the big league, he does not have the right to opt for free agency. He remains with the O’s and tries to earn his way back into the squad.
He was drafted by the Blue Jays in 2019 and didn’t have much potential hype as he climbed the minor league ladder. However, he showed flashes of a breakthrough in 2025, reaching the majors with the Jays. He ultimately lost his roster spot and went to the White Sox in July. In the offseason he went to the Pirates and then to the Orioles.
During his brief Major League action, he posted a dismal .129/.173/.143 line, but in a small sample size of 75 plate appearances. His 354 Triple-A plate appearances were far more impressive. His strikeout rate of 24.9% was above average, but an improvement for him personally, considering it was 31.3% the year before. His 13.6% walk rate at Triple-A last year was quite strong, and he also hit 20 home runs in those 354 trips to the plate. That led to a .289/.387/.571 line and 148 wRC+ at that level.
Since Robertson cleared waivers, it seems Major League clubs have been a bit skeptical of that production. His batting average of .342 on balls in play was a bit high. He was a 27-year-old repeating at the Triple-A level with serious strikeout concerns in previous seasons. He is also primarily a corner player in the outfield, with very limited center field experience.
If his 2025 was a legitimate late-bloomer breakout, the O’s could benefit down the road if he earns his way back to the roster. He doesn’t have an easy path, the way Baltimore’s current outfield mix exists Colton Cowser, Taylor district, Dylan Bevers, Tyler O’Neill, Jeremiah Jackson, Leody Taveras, Reed Trimble, Heston Kjerstad And Marco Lucianoalthough Luciano and others were eventually able to follow Robertson to the waiver wire.
Photo courtesy of Rick Osentoski, Imagn Images
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