There are just 25 games remaining in the 2026 regular season, and the Baltimore Orioles currently sit one game out of the final American League Wild Card spot.
With the end of the season approaching and September call-ups right around the corner, depth will be crucial for the Orioles down the stretch. Baltimore has needed additional help in the outfield, and the team addressed that need by claiming former All-Star and Gold Glove winner Luis Robert Jr. off waivers from the New York Mets.
Robert Jr. began his professional career after signing with the Chicago White Sox in May 2017. After spending two full seasons in the minor leagues and climbing as high as No. 3 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 Prospects list, Robert Jr. made his major-league debut during the shortened 2020 season.
He immediately showed flashes of the player he could become, posting a .233/.302/.436 slash line with a .738 OPS across 56 games. Robert Jr. finished second in American League Rookie of the Year voting and won the first and only Gold Glove of his career.
His 2021 and 2022 campaigns were slowed by injuries, as he played just 166 games across the two seasons. Even with the limited playing time, he hit .307/.344/.485 with an .830 OPS, collecting 201 hits, 40 doubles, 25 home runs and 99 RBIs.
That set the stage for Robert Jr.’s breakout 2023 campaign, when he finally played a full season. He posted a .857 OPS while setting career-highs in hits (144), doubles (36) and home runs (38). The native of Cuba was named an All-Star, finished 12th in American League MVP voting and earned a Silver Slugger Award.
Robert Jr. has struggled to replicate that production over the past two seasons. He finished both 2024 and 2025 with an OPS below .700 and a batting average below .225. Following the 2025 season, the White Sox traded the now-28-year-old outfielder to the Mets in exchange for Luisangel Acuña and Truman Pauley.
Robert Jr.’s 2026 season has been somewhat better than the previous two, although injuries have once again limited his availability. In just 58 games, he is hitting .223/.303/.399 with a .702 OPS, recording 43 hits, four doubles, 10 home runs and 23 RBIs.
Robert Jr. began the season on the injured list with a lumbar spine disc herniation and was eventually transferred to the 60-day injured list in May. He returned in July before the Mets placed him on waivers on August 29.
Robert Jr. owns a career .992 fielding percentage and has long been regarded as one of the more athletic outfielders in baseball thanks to his speed, quick reactions and ability to cover ground in center field.
His offensive production has declined since his 2023 All-Star season, but the Orioles do not necessarily need Robert Jr. to be that player immediately. If he can provide competent defense and find even a portion of his old offensive form, he could give Baltimore a valuable piece for the final month of the regular season and potentially into October.
What are your thoughts on this waiver claim?
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