BALTIMORE — The Baltimore Orioles have finalized a one-year contract worth $975,000 with outfielder Dylan Carlson, just a few months after he was non-tendered by the Tampa Bay Rays.

Carlson, who was selected in the first round of the 2016 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals, showcased his potential during his first full season in 2021 by hitting 18 home runs. However, his performance has declined in the following years, with only 16 home runs accumulated since that breakout year.

In the 2024 MLB season, Carlson played 96 games for both the Cardinals and the Rays, achieving a batting average of .209 along with three home runs and 25 RBIs. At just 26 years old, he remains a switch-hitter with the ability to cover all three positions in the outfield, suggesting he may still have room for growth in his game.

The Orioles’ need for outfield depth arose after the departure of right fielder Anthony Santander, who signed with the Toronto Blue Jays in free agency. To bolster their roster, they have also acquired Tyler O’Neill. Other contenders vying for playing time in the outfield include Cedric Mullins, Colton Cowser, and Heston Kjerstad.

Additionally, Carlson’s contract has an incentive included, offering him a $25,000 bonus should he reach 200 plate appearances during the upcoming season.