Baltimore Orioles Claim Infielder Off Waivers from Los Angeles Angels

The Baltimore Orioles have claimed an infielder off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels who played in the organization.

Mar 23, 2024; Mesa, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Angels second baseman Livan Soto (73) / Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles have acquired a familiar face, grabbing a player off waivers from the Los Angeles Angels who's been with the organization before.

MLB Trade Rumors reported that infielder Livan Soto was claimed off waivers by the Orioles on Thursday. Soto spent a week with Baltimore before being waived in February.

The 23-year-old has 64 big league at-bats, slashing .375/.414/.531 with one home run. Soto, however, has spent most of his career in the minor leagues. He's had 28 at-bats in Triple-A this season, slashing .214/.324/.286.

The Orioles announced they have optioned him to Triple-A Norfolk, so he could be Jackson Holliday's replacement after the superstar was called up and made his debut on Wednesday. Soto will hold a spot on the 40-man roster.

Soto started his career with the Atlanta Braves but was part of the Braves international amateur class that was penalized for international signing violations.

As a result, Major League Baseball determined that each of the players who signed for more than $300,000 would be declared free agents.

He had his chance to make the big league club for Los Angeles, but a tough Spring Training made the club go in a different direction.

Soto slashed .237/.326/.316 with just one double and triple in 38 at-bats.

He was viewed as a Top-20 prospect in the Angels' system, according to MLB Pipeline in February.

The infielder is known for his defensive abilities, and while he's swung the bat well in his short MLB career, he's also struggled on that end in the minors.