Baltimore Orioles: 3 Players Deserving of an All-Star Spot

Cedric Mullins, CF, Baltimore Orioles

Cedric Mullins is another player who should find himself in the Mile High City. His 2019 season was not great and 2020 was cut short due to the pandemic, but so far in 2021, he has performed incredibly well.

In 56 games this season, Mullins, 26, has 64 hits, six home runs, and 14 RBIs. The speedy base stealer can also bunt for hits and even made it to third base on a pop-up.

However, what gets talked about most when breaking down Mullins’ game is his elite defense. In the shortened 2020 season, Mullins has 137 putouts, 140 defensive chances, and a 1.000 fielding percentage.

Expect Mullins to continue playing at a high level, even if the Orioles fall out of contention.

Trey Mancini, 1B, Baltimore Orioles

If any single player on the Orioles is most deserving of an All-Star spot, it’s Trey Mancini.

In March of 2020, Mancini was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer. Mancini sat out the 2020 season and was unsure if he would be able to play baseball again. Mancini’s return to baseball in 2021 after beating cancer sent shockwaves around the league. Fans, players, and even those on the opposing sidelines cheered him on as he stepped into the batter’s box for the first time in over a year.

Mancini, 29, was moved to first base this season. Mostly known for being a defensive playmaker in the outfield, he did not let the position swap impact his defensive numbers. So far this season, Mancini has 221 putouts, turned 15 double plays, and has a fielding percentage of .996.

Mancini has proven himself to be a threat at the plate as well, having racked up 57 hits, 11 home runs, and 44 RBIs in his return to Major League Baseball.

Mancini will continue to awe fans and may not only find himself in the All-Star Game but may also become the MLB’s Comeback Player of the Year.