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Baltimore Orioles Opening Day Roster: What We Know

By Arrick Joel

Mar 20, 2021; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles celebrate after beating the New York Yankees 2-1 during spring training at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 20, 2021; Sarasota, Florida, USA; Baltimore Orioles celebrate after beating the New York Yankees 2-1 during spring training at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Orioles’ infield crunch has been a trending topic around camp in Sarasota, FL this Spring. As the team continues to add and develop prospects through their rebuild, Baltimore has reached a point where they have too many players and not enough spots in the Major League infield to accomadate them.

However, there are a few obivous jobs won. Here’s how RosterResource projects the Orioles to bat against right-handed pitchers:

  1. Cedric Mullins (CF)
  2. Trey Mancini (DH)
  3. Anthony Santander (RF)
  4. Ryan Mountcastle (1B)
  5. Chance Sisco (C)
  6. Austin Hays (LF)
  7. Maikel Franco (3B)
  8. Freddy Galvis (SS)
  9. Ramon Urias (2B)

Designating Yolmer Sanchez for assignment in correspondence with the Adam Plutko deal has created an interesting situation at second base for the Orioles. While RosterResource projects Ramon Urias to take over the position, the Orioles have other capable MLB-ready players such as Pat Valaika and Rio Ruiz who will likely split time with Urias at the position.

Another time-share in the Orioles’ lineup will be at catcher, where Chance Sisco and Pedro Severino will have a platoon split. In his career, Severino has an OPS of .733 against left-handed pitchers, whereas Sisco has a .590 career OPS in that split.

The additions of veteran infielders Freddy Galvis and Maikel Franco guarantee a reliable performance on the left side of the infield for the Orioles. Franco is coming off of the best season of his career, having played in all 60 games for the Kansas City Royals in 2020.

Trey Mancini’s heartwarming return, having missed the entire 2020 season while battling colon cancer, is a huge boost for the Orioles’s offense. In 2019, Mancini slashed .291/.364/.535 over 679 plate appearances. It’s safe to assume that Mancini could find himself at the All-Star Game for the first time in his career this season.

Who’s In?

  • Cedric Mullins (L)
  • Trey Mancini (R)
  • Anthony Santander (S)
  • Ryan Mountcastle (R)
  • Chance Sisco (L)
  • Austin Hays (R)
  • Maikel Franco (R)
  • Freddy Galvis (S)
  • Ramon Urias (R)
  • Pedro Severino (R)
  • Rio Ruiz (L)
  • Pat Valaika (R)

Who’s Out?

  • Yolmer Sanchez (DFA’d, granted release)
  • Richie Martin (Optioned to minor leagues)
  • Jahmai Jones (Optioned to minor leagues)
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