2021 Roster Review: Baltimore Orioles
52-110 (5th in Division; 30th in MLB)
SP Wins: 24 (30th)
RP Wins: 28 (26th)
Saves: 26 (28th)
1+ Save: 6 (Cole Sulser, César Valdez 8, Tyler Wells 4, Dillon Tate 3, Paul Fry 2, Adam Plutko 1)
100+ Ks: 2 (John Means 134, Jorge López 112)
.260+ AVG (min. 350 PA): 1 (Cedric Mullins .291)
65+ Runs: 4 (Mullins 91, Ryan Mountcastle, Trey Mancini 77, Austin Hays 73)
65+ RBI: 3 (Mountcastle 89, Mancini, Hays 71)
10+ HRs: 8 (Mountcastle 33, Mullins 30, Hays 22, Mancini 21, Anthony Santander 18, DJ Stewart 12, Maikel Franco, Pedro Severino 11)
5+ SBs: 2 (Mullins 30, Jorge Mateo 5)
BEST BUY: Anthony Santander
Santander has been averaging about 30-100 over the last three seasons (33 HR/95 RBI per 162 gms since ’19), but he has struggled to stay on the field with just 93 and 110 games in his last two full seasons (2019 and 2021). He still hit the ball with authority this year despite the injuries that piled up (ankle, hamstring, knee). The skills are there for him, it is a matter of staying healthy and finally reaching that 500+ PA level.
ON THE RISE: Austin Hays
Hays was solid in his first full season, hitting 22 HR with a .769 OPS in 529 PA. He was particularly strong down the stretch with 12 of his homers and a .279/.325/.509 line in the last two months. He will be just 26 years old next year and can definitely build on this season, possibly even approaching a 30-100 level if the Orioles lineup around him improves.
OFF THE RADAR: Ramón Urías
Confession time: I didn’t realize Luis and Ramón were brothers! Although in some fairness to me, Baseball-Reference doesn’t have it on either guy’s profile and that is usually where I get my confirmation on familial connections in baseball. I’ll definitely have more on Luis Urías in the Milwaukee piece, but Ramón caught my eye over the summer with a .288/.371/.420 line and 5 HR in 232 PA. He has a top 100 Max EV (112.7 mph) and could be a sneaky 20 HR/.270 AVG glue guy for deeper formats if he has the SS job from day 1. He also has dual-eligibility at SS and 2B, plus a third eligibility at 3B in leagues that require just 10 games.
HOT TAKE: Trey Mancini hits a career-high 40 HR in 2022.
Mancini’s season was a colossal win no matter how you slice it. Considering that he was returning from colon cancer, just logging 616 PA was an accomplishment on its own and it is certainly hard to get after him for a slower second half. Like many players – none of whom did chemotherapy treatments last year like Mancini – he wore down a bit after the break with a .711 OPS and 5 HR in 254 PA, but I think his strength and stamina will be back next year and fuel a new career best in homers at 40. He hit 35 back in 2019 and was on pace for 33 through 69 games this year so maybe this isn’t a super-hot take, but 40 bombs from a 30-year-old who won’t be too expensive in drafts is definitely a win.
ICYMI: John Means saw his strikeout rate plummet in the second half, dropping from 26% in his first 12 starts to just 20% in his last 14. His home run rate was an issue all year, but also rose across those two samples as well, going from 1.6 to 2.0. I really want to like Means, but we’re at a point where his name value might be exceeding his fantasy value.
Congratulations on your Main Event win. That was impressive. I look forward to reading the rest
of your Roster Review series.
They trailed the Rays in runs scored by 198 and by 305 in runs allowed. That’s a pretty steep pair of mountains to climb.
This is the fantasy baseball section of Fangraphs
When Urias bumps his LA to in between 10-13 degrees, he will become an extremely undervalued asset. Until then, he will have too many grounders with his slow speed to make use of his BABIP skills.
I really like the format of this article, Paul. This is a big +1 from my perspective.
I think that one of my personal blind spots in fantasy is quickly skipping over anyone on a bad team unless it’s a star player. I need to take a closer look at guys like Austin Hays, who probably won’t cost a ton and could easily outearn their ADP.
Agreed, especially those who have underwhelming year end totals but turned it on late in the year when nobody was watching.
Definitely. Two or so years ago Hanser Alberto helped me out a lot given his slap hitting ways at the time. Of course he disappeared from the limelight not too long after that, but thanks for the memories, Hanser!
Any guess on when they start calling those young arms up 2023????
Will be interesting to see where Mullins goes in 2022 drafts after a 291 30 30 season. 90% of that would provide 1st round value . . .
The hemming and hawing of “he’s 30/30” and “but he’s an O!” will be entertaining to watch.
I will eat my computer if they make the playoffs in the next 3 years
Should this come to pass, the new(-ish) iMacs come in different colors/flavors, some more appetizing-looking than others. Choose carefully. For a family sized meal, go with a Mac Pro. If you’re on a diet, the Mac Mini is for you.
All are gluten-free, AFAIK.
Start pouring on the chocolate sauce now and, in three years, it’ll resemble a very crunchy cake.