Orioles midseason report card 2022: Part One The Outfielders
The Baltimore Orioles finished the first half of the season .500 record with 46 wins and 46 losses. The Orioles started the season with a very tough schedule in April and May but really found their stride in June and July. The Orioles have made a lot of roster moves during the season. Here I will grade each outfielder, some that had a lack of playing time will not be graded. Part two the infielders will be coming soon.
Outfielders
Cedric Mullins: The Orioles lone All-Star in 2021 Mullins a solid season in the leadoff spot. No where near the season Mullins had last year but his defense in center field and base running has been a key to the Orioles success. With a .256 average and seven home runs Mullins also leads the team with 23 doubles. Grade B
Austin Hays: Health has been Hays biggest key to success and he has been mostly healthy this season. With a .270 average and 12 home runs along with dominate defense Hays has been one of the most feared Orioles hitters. Hays usually finds himself in the cleanup spot and has done well with it. Grade B+
Anthony Santander: Santander leads the Orioles in home runs with 15 and walks with 35. Santander, Hays and Ryan Mountcastle are all tied for the team lead with 46 RBI’s. Santander has had some of the longest and most impressive at bats for the Orioles. Defensively Santander has been solid at times, the difference between Santander and Hays in whatever field they are playing in is significant. Grade B
Ryan McKenna: McKenna has spent time in the minors where he tore it up in AAA Norfolk and has been used as the fourth outfielder, pinch runner, and defensive replacement. The talent is there for McKenna but the at bats are hard to come by. McKenna has a .253 average and a home run in 100 plate appearances which is very good for a back up player not seeing every day at bats. The defense is outstanding and the base running is elite. Grade B
Chris Owings: Owings got himself DFAed then released after hitting .107. Owings robbed other players of at bats and should have returned his paychecks to the Orioles. Nothing good to say about Owings play. Grade F——-