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Baltimore Orioles: Roundtable Discussion On The 2019 Season

By Nick Stevens

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 01: A detailed view of Dwight Smith Jr. #35 of the Baltimore Orioles necklace against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 1, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - JUNE 01: A detailed view of Dwight Smith Jr. #35 of the Baltimore Orioles necklace against the San Francisco Giants at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 1, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – MAY 18: John Means #67 of the Baltimore Orioles pitchers against the Cleveland Indians in the first inning at Progressive Field on May 18, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indians defeated the Orioles 4-1. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images) /

There have been a few big surprises for the Baltimore Orioles. Who has impressed you the most?

Contributor Chuck Boemmel: The biggest positive surprise has to be the performance of John Means (5-4, 2.80 ERA, 45K, .223 BAA).  To see him emerge out of spring training as a member of the 25-man roster was great, especially after following his MiLB progress for two years.  The MLB stage doesn’t seem too big for him

Site Co-Expert Aaron Gershon: The best surprise this season, as touched on in the opening question, is Renato Nunez. Though his OBP is low and there are tons of strikeouts that go with his game, the power is a huge boost. Nunez has hit 14 home runs and driven in 34 runs. The 25-year-old has bounced around the league ever since debuting with the A’s in 2016 and had never hit more than 16 in a season. He’s on pace to shatter that by a wide margin and in today’s game of baseball, where the home run ball is worshiped, the O’s have a power-hitter they can rely on in Nunez.

Contributor Jesse Morrison:  I really think the biggest surprise this season has been John Means. After just one appearance in the big leagues before this season, I did not expect him to have a 2.80 ERA on June 3. He was never a huge prospect in the farm system. He had a solid minor league career but was never really a world beater. For him to be leading the Birds with a 1.9 WAR is a nice surprise.

Site Co-Expert Nick Stevens: I’ve enjoyed watching Dwight Smith Jr. Hanser Alberto, John Means, and Rio Ruiz, but my biggest surprise has been Pedro Severino. I love the energy he brings to a game and while we knew his defense was good, he’s providing tremendous value with the bat. No one expected him to have a .351 OBP, 120 wRC+, or even a .268 average at this point in the season. I didn’t even think he would be on the team! If the Orioles do go with Adley Rutschman on Monday night, I’d like to see them move Chance Sisco (either to a new position or in a trade) and keep Severino as the primary man until Rutschman is ready.

Next question: Should the Baltimore Orioles trade Trey Mancini?

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