While the Orioles were good in 2022 and really good in 2023, the stretch from 2018 until 2022 is an era that's rather forgettable. Despite the stretch of poor play as the team was deep in a rebuild, the power from some bats on the team was still there.
The 30 home run threshold is a big one for a hitter as it proves a dominant season in the power department. The Orioles haven't been lacking in home run power recently. Here are the last five Orioles with 30 home runs in a season.
Anthony Santander, 2022
Building off a few solid seasons before, 2022 served as Santander's breakout year. He bashed 33 home runs and added 24 doubles for the Orioles, serving as a key cog in the middle of the order. He had a .455 slugging percentage, his third-best mark in a full season.
His power saw him end the year with a .773 OPS and 120 OPS+ as he was one of the Orioles most reliable players in 2022, including some big moments with the glove.
Santander followed that up when he played for Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic in March and had two home runs while boasting a 1.332 OPS over 17 at-bats. He continued showcasing his big hits in 2023 while hitting 28 home runs, just two shy of two consecutive 30 homer seasons. He was an important player in 2022 and figures to be one for a while if he sticks around.