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Baltimore Orioles: Predicting The Opening Day 25-Man Roster

By Nick Stevens

BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 11: Trey Mancini #16 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Cedric Mullins #3 after scoring a run on a double by Renato Nunez #39 (not pictured) in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of a doubleheader at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 11, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - AUGUST 11: Trey Mancini #16 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Cedric Mullins #3 after scoring a run on a double by Renato Nunez #39 (not pictured) in the second inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of a doubleheader at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on August 11, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Orioles
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 01: Chris Davis #19 of the Baltimore Orioles scores in the second inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 1, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Baltimore Orioles roster prediction: position players.

Catchers: Chance Sisco, Austin Wynns

No real surprises here. I really liked the signing of Jesus Sucre but as of February 26th he remains stuck in Venezuela with visa issues. He’s brand new to the organization and no one is sure as to when he can get into camp and start familiarizing himself with his new teammates and the Orioles pitching staff, so, unfortunately, Sucre is a longshot here.

Infielders: Chris Davis, Jonathan Villar, Richie Martin, Renato Nunez, Rio Ruiz, Alcides Escobar.

The biggest surprise here is the signing of Alcides Escobar in the first place. All initial reports indicate that Hyde and his staff like what they see in Escobar, who can play up the middle in the infield and in the outfield. While Jonathan Villar would prefer to play shortstop, his move to second base seems solidified.

This setup includes a starting lineup of Chris Davis at first, Villar at second, Escobar/Richie Martin at short, and Renato Nunez at third base. Both Martin and Escobar provide the flexibility that the Orioles have been preaching and Rio Ruiz can man the hot corner, someone who Hyde has publically stated that he is impressed by.

Outfielders: Cedric Mullins, Trey Mancini, DJ Stewart, Joey Rickard

By default, fans are going to see Trey Mancini in left field until changes/big decisions are made concerning guys like Trumbo and Chris Davis. Fair or not, Mancini has been pinpointed as a team leader, despite this being just his third year as a big leaguer. He seems willing to take on this role, which is a positive sign for a franchise in need of someone to look up to with Adam Jones still unemployed.

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Austin Hays will be on the major league roster at some point in 2019, but will begin the year in the minors after recent ankle surgery. He’s healthy and checking off the boxes very early on in spring, so all signs are pointing up.

In the meantime, Cedric Mullins will man centerfield and be one of the few bright spots on this roster. Stewart (LHH) and Rickard (RHH) may split time in right field while Hays and Yusniel Diaz stand outside of the gates at Camden Yards and bang on the entrance on a daily basis.

Designated Hitter: Mark Trumbo 

It looks like he is healthy and progressing well. Trumbo needs a big season, not because he has a place on a winning Orioles roster down the road, but because he needs to impress other teams who may be in the market for a slugger to help get them over a playoff hump.

Mike Elias Continues To Impress. dark. Next

Let me know where I went wrong or why Jack Reinheimer should be on this roster. What does your 25-man look like?

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