Birds Watcher
Fansided

Baltimore Orioles: Three Players Who Need A Big Spring Training

By Nick Stevens

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 29: Chance Sisco #15 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates a two run home run with Hanser Alberto #57 in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 29: Chance Sisco #15 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates a two run home run with Hanser Alberto #57 in the sixth inning during a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 29, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 4
Next
Baltimore Orioles
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MARCH 28: Dwight Smith Jr. #35 and Cedric Mullins #3 of the Baltimore Orioles look on during batting practice before the game against the New York Yankees during Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 28, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images) /

Will Cedric Mullins put his 2019 season behind him?

Chance Sisco wasn’t the only Orioles hitter to visit a private instructor to try and help improve their swing and approach in 2020. Outfielder Cedric Mullins also dedicated himself to improving after a disaster of a 2019 campaign.

I haven’t jumped off the Cedric Mullins train yet, largely due to his impressive defensive abilities and skills on the basepaths, but he has to show an ability to hit more advanced pitching.

We have touched on Mullins a few times this offseason, noting his .094 average and -12 wRC+ in 22 games with the Orioles last season and his .205 average and 46 wRC+ in Triple-A before setting in with the Bowie Baysox, slashing .271/.341/.402 with a career-high 9.7% walk rate and a 13.7% strikeout rate.

With DJ Stewert on the shelf to begin the season, there is an opening on the 26-man roster for at least two reserve outfielders. If Mullins can show off his improved swing this spring, one of the spots could belong to him.

Mullins doesn’t need to post eye-popping numbers, just hover around league-average while he flashes the leather and uses his speed on the basepaths to cause some havoc late in games. The 25-year-old switch hitter still has time to turn things around and stick in the big leagues. Can it be with the Orioles in 2020?

Home/Orioles News