Orioles claim outfielder Jhonkensy Noel off waivers

Written by:

Zachary Bucklew

The holidays might be over, but that does not mean we still can’t celebrate Christmas for a little bit longer in Birdland.

According to multiple industry sources, the Orioles have claimed outfielder Jhonkensy “Big Christmas” Noel off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians.

Noel debuted on June 26, 2024, and immediately made himself a household name. That season, Noel played in 67 games and slashed .218/.288/.486 with a .774 OPS, collecting 39 hits, seven doubles, one triple and 13 home runs. But what Noel is mostly known for by baseball fans is what he did in the postseason that year.

"THE ULTIMATE PRESENT UNDER THE TREE."

Never forget when Jhonkensy Noel tied it in the 9th inning of ALCS Game 3 with a blast 🎄 pic.twitter.com/XVXMxPgTvT
— B/R Walk-Off (@BRWalkoff) December 17, 2025

Noel struggled in the 2024 postseason, posting just a .095 batting average, but he collected the biggest hit of his career. In game three of the ALCS against the New York Yankees, Noel stepped up with two outs in the ninth and hit a monster two-run home run to tie the game.

As for 2025, Noel’s struggles continued at the dish. He played in 69 games for Cleveland and earned a .480 OPS. He hit .162, collecting 24 hits, two doubles and six home runs.

Making room for Noel on the 40-man roster, the Orioles have designated right-hander George Soriano for assignment.

Jhonkensy Noel is a fun signing, joining his new manager in coming over from Cleveland

2025 was rough though, slashed .162/.183/.297 in 69 GP and 148 ABs. Only 6 HRs and 13 RBI with 52 Ks#Birdland pic.twitter.com/OT2kGg7Zat
— SleeperOrioles (@SleeperOrioles) January 5, 2026

This acquisition is eerily similar to a certain move made back in January 2023. This move reminds us of the Ryan O’Hearn trade that got heavily criticized yet turned out to be one of the best deals in baseball over the last few years.

Sometimes players need a change of scenery to lock into their full potential, and it wouldn’t be surprising if that was the case for Noel this upcoming season. If anything, this is a depth piece.

What are your thoughts on this move? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!

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