Ramon Laureano shocked Braves fans last season when he unexpectedly joined the roster in May. His 2024 campaign got off to a rough start with the Cleveland Guardians, where he struggled at the plate, hitting just .143 over 31 games before being designated for assignment in mid-May.
The Braves signed Laureano to a minor league deal shortly after his release from Cleveland. He rediscovered his swing with the Gwinnett Stripers and earned a call-up to Atlanta on June 16 following an injury to Michael Harris II.
Despite some shaky defensive moments, Laureano thrived at the plate and became a key piece of Atlanta’s lineup. Over 67 games with the Braves, he slashed .296/.327/.505, hitting 10 home runs, 13 doubles, and driving in 29 runs while posting a 128 OPS+.
Many expected the Braves to bring Laureano back in 2025, given their need for an outfield addition. However, Atlanta chose to non-tender him and instead opted for Jurickson Profar as their solution moving forward.
Ramon Laureano joins Orioles after impressive resurgence with Braves in 2024
However, Laureano’s strong second half with the Braves helped him land a spot with the Orioles. Baltimore signed the right fielder to a one-year, $4 million contract, which also includes a $6.5 million club option for 2026.
Laureano joins former Braves pitcher Charlie Morton, who also signed with the Orioles this offseason, giving him a familiar face in the clubhouse. He should be a valuable addition to Baltimore, though the outfield is a bit crowded following the earlier acquisitions of Dylan Carlson and slugger Tyler O’Neill.
With Colton Cowser and Cedric Mullins rounding out the outfield, Laureano and Carlson will likely serve as bench options. Nevertheless, Laureano provides valuable veteran experience and the versatility to play any outfield position. Over his career, he has posted a .247 batting average with a .749 OPS across 610 games, making him a solid addition to the Orioles’ roster.
