Baltimore Orioles Milestone Watch: Chris Davis Home Runs

Will Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis hit home run number 300 this season?

There’s a saying you often hear fans of really bad baseball teams so over and over again to help ease the pain, “bad baseball is better than no baseball.” While that is true to an extent, it became very difficult to believe that statement once September rolled around for the Baltimore Orioles.

With 2020 sure to bring much of the same, finding smaller storylines to follow closely will be key to sticking out next season. We touched on a few of those storylines the other day here, including John Means and Hunter Harvey, there should be a long list of rookies who make their major league debuts at various points this season, and there will be the most entertaining storyline of the 2020 season, following along the minor league affiliates in what is sure to be another impressive year up and down the farm system.

In my attempt to find potential milestones that Orioles players may reach at some point next season, my search didn’t come up with much to look forward to. With a roster of mainly very young players and rookies, reaching noted statistical markers will take some time, but there was one that may be of interest.

Baltimore Orioles first baseman/designated hitter Chris Davis is just five home runs shy of number 300 for his career. As an Oriole, Davis ranks sixth on the all-time franchise list with 253,  10 shy of outfielder Adam Jones (263) and 15 shy of the legendary Brooks Robinson (268) who currently sits in fourth place on the all-time list.

As a refresher, Cal Ripken Jr.leads all Orioles with 431 career home runs.

With Orioles general manager Mike Elias seemingly dedicated to continuing to work with Davis for the time being, it’s only a matter of time before his hands are tied and he’s forced to make a decision with the once-feared slugger. With a plethora of first base/DH types on the roster, a few of them finding a home in the outfield, and younger, more promising prospects such as Ryan Mountcastle prepared to take on the big leagues, Davis’ roster spot will be needed, even with the addition of a 26th-man.

All we know at this point is that despite being worth -2.7 fWAR over the last three seasons, Davis will be back for spring training. After that, who knows. Will he even have the opportunity to hit number 300 with the Orioles?

Despite all the deserved criticisms and frustrations among fans with his performance, I’ve always been a fan of Davis and would love to see him get #300 here in Baltimore. After that, I wish him the best.

On a smaller note, Trey Mancini is 14 home runs shy of number 100 for his career. He hit a career-high 35 last season.