Trey Mancini taking over as clubhouse leader

Entering the final day of the 2018 season, many questions surrounded the Baltimore Orioles organization. It had already been confirmed the club would be entering a rebuilding phase over the following years, that wasn’t to be wondered. But what was pondered was in direct regard to Adam Jones and if he would return for a 12th season in an Orioles uniform. More importantly, would he return to be a vocal clubhouse mentor and leader during the team’s rebuild?

As the days passed by in the offseason, it became more-and-more evident that Jones was not going to be re-signed by the new front office. So without the 33-year-old outfielder in the clubhouse, who does that leave as the new clubhouse leader?

One would think it needs to be a veteran with multiple years of service time in the majors. But at Ed Smith Stadium, it was Trey Mancini that received Adam Jones’ former locker in the clubhouse, signaling the Orioles want Mancini to be their clubhouse leader.

Making his Major League debut in 2016, Mancini has played 308 games with the Orioles over his three year career. He carries a career .268 batting average into the 2019 season and he’s in a position now to lend a helping hand to his younger teammates, much like what was done for him.

Speaking with MASN’s Roch Kubatko, Mancini said, “I’m definitely in position now where we have a lot of younger guys and I’ll do my best to do what was done for me whenever I was a young guy here, which was get a lot of veteran leaders to kind of guide me and help me know how major league camp works. Set an example just by the way I go about my business. So that’s really what I’m going to try to do more than anything.”

And speaking with Orioles Productions media last week before the exhibition games began, Mancini described the advice he’s willing to give to the younger players. “All the younger guys know they can come to me with any questions they have,” he said. “They’ve been doing great so far. They’re not timid when they go out there, they’re ready to go. There’s not much I really need to do in that regard, but they know if there’s anything they need they can come to me, for sure.”

Mancini is expected to make the the team as the club’s everyday left fielder. His natural first base position will be blocked for a few more years. However, no matter where he’s at on the diamond, he’s still looking forward to the season beginning.

“I’m just looking forward to getting the season started and seeing what this team can do,” Mancini said. “I feel really good about it and I feel like we can surprise some people and have a better year than a lot of people think.” And now that the exhibition season is underway, Mancini has the opportunity to show why he’s a clubhouse leader on – and off – the field.

Playing in his first game of the spring season yesterday afternoon, Mancini went 2-for-2, with a run scored and he even stole a base in the third. That’s the on the field leadership. Off the field, Jon Meoli from The Baltimore Sun gave us an insight on how he’s leading in the clubhouse. Meoli tweeted, “In Adam Jones’ absence, Trey Mancini took it upon himself to continue the Orioles tradition of ordering in platters of Popeyes chicken for the clubhouse after the first spring training game. It was appreciated by all.”

Although Mancini will be counted on to be the go-to guy in the clubhouse, he told Roch Kubatko, “I’m obviously not Adam Jones. I’m not trying to be. Nobody can fill his shoes at all. Nobody can do that.” However, it will be exciting to watch him blossom into a leadership role for the 2019 season and beyond.