Baltimore Orioles: Mark Trumbo’s sensational start ignites O’s playoff hopes

Baltimore Orioles slugger Mark Trumbo is off to a career-best start making him the most underrated acquisition of the offseason.

Since 2013, 30-year old, Mark Trumbo, has been traded three times including time with the Los Angeles Angels, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Seattle Mariners. This past offseason, Trumbo was traded from the Mariners to the Baltimore Orioles alongside C.J. Riefenhauser for former Oriole, Steve Clevenger. Trumbo’s contract with the Orioles is a 1-year $9.15 million deal.

After coming off a frustrating 2015 season, Trumbo now finds himself hitting in the Orioles power

heavy lineup. Through 30 games, Trumbo is batting .325 with a .976 OPS, nine home runs, and 24 RBIs. He went 3-for-5 on Sunday with a home run and 2 RBIs and was a double shy of the cycle to help the Orioles rout against the Athletics. Coming into the series against the Minnesota Twins, Trumbo has reached base safely in 22 straight games.

When the O’s acquired Trumbo, it was assumed to be an assurance if the Orioles were not able to re-sign slugger Chris Davis. Trumbo is far from that as he is fourth among American League in batting average and second in home runs. The Orioles outfielder is a huge reason for the Orioles success so far this season especially as Adam Jones continues to struggle.

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With Mark Trumbo’s excellent start brings flashbacks of the 2014 Nelson Cruz. Trumbo is a huge reason why the Orioles are sitting in first place, similar to what Cruz did for the 96-win AL East champion Orioles. When comparing the two through the first 30 games of the season, the statistics are quite alike: The 2014 Cruz connected for 34 hits, nine HRs, 29 RBIs while the 2016 Trumbo has posted 38 hits, nine HRs, 24 RBIs. Through 30 games of 2014, the Baltimore Orioles were tied for first place with a record of 16-14. Today, 30 games in, the Orioles are in sole possession of first place at 18-12.

The power numbers should not be too much of a surprise as Trumbo hit 95 home runs from 2011-2013, including an All-Star selection in 2012 with the Los Angeles Angels. The outfielder now finds himself in the friendly confines of Camden Yards where fans will witness many of Trumbo homers in 2016.

Just how impressive is Trumbo’s start to the season? The O’s slugger is the only player to be ranked in the American League top five for batting average, home runs, and RBIs. For the week of April 10th, Trumbo received the American League Player of the Week and on April 15th against the Texas Rangers, Trumbo became the first Orioles to homer twice in the same inning.

Entering his seventh season with the Orioles, Trumbo is off to the best start of his career. History shows that Trumbo’s best numbers come in April and May, but don’t expect him to slow down anytime soon. With right-handed sluggers, Adam Jones, and Manny Machado, Trumbo has the chance to see how pitchers are approaching them and make modifications respectively.

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Like many players, Trumbo feeds off the energy of a packed house at Camden Yards. With (hopefully) better weather approaching the Baltimore area into the summer, Trumbo can expect sell-out crowds and hammering balls out of the ballpark to help the Orioles return to the playoffs once again.