Mullins’ stock rises with extra look
Outfield prospect values spring opportunity; added reps boost Álvarez’s chances
SARASOTA, FLA. – Typically, when the Orioles send out a top prospect from minor league camp, he’ll get a start to make one final showcase before the team thanks him for his time with the major league club and lets him go prepare for the minor league season.
It seemed that was the motivation behind giving Cedric Mullins, the Orioles’ ninthrated prospect according to Baseball America, a start against Noah Syndergaard and the New York Mets on Sunday.
Mullins, 23, certainly made what could have been a fine parting impression — he laid down a bunt single as part of a two-hit day and stole second base twice while playing his typical standout defense.
That he’s remained in camp this long means the Orioles value him and what he can do, possibly as soon as this year. And he values that opportunity as well.
“Every chance I get, I’m going to take the opportunity to showcase my talent on the field,” Mullins said. “Being able to get that start against an All-Star pitcher, that’s an amazing opportunity just from that standpoint. To have the success that I did kept me relaxed. It’s definitely a confidence-builder from this point forward, knowing that I can play this game and playing well.”
Mullins said it shows that “they have trust in my ability to play this game and play it correctly, and that I’ve been going about my business professionally.”
“I’m just taking each day one step at a time, not letting it overwhelm me and not making the game speed up on me when I’m out there on the field,” Mullins said.
That start against the Mets might have jump-started Mullins at the plate. After coming off the bench and playing regularly this spring, the start was his first multihit game of the Grapefruit League. He’s batting .229 with five of his eight hits going for extra bases and a .737 OPS this spring, but his abilities to steal bases and capably play all over the outfield make him an intriguing candidate to arrive in Baltimore sooner than later.
He hasn’t let his mind wander that far yet, though.
“There’s no telling,” Mullins said. “I haven’t gotten much info on it yet. I’m Orioles outfield prospect Cedric Mullins is hitting .229 with five of his eight hits going for extra bases and a .737 OPS in Grapefruit League spring training games this season. guessing no one else has either. I’m taking it all the way through and I’ll find out at some point what’s going on. Regardless of the situation, I’ve got to perform.”
Until he finds out for sure, he’s glad to soak in the major league time afforded to him before camp breaks Sunday.
“Being in the clubhouse around a group of great guys, [I’m] learning a lot from them and their experiences, along with the coaching staff,” Mullins said. An opening for Álvarez? A man who is frequently a late arrival in camp, slugger Pedro Álvarez feels the fact that he got nearly a full spring training this year will only help his case to force the Orioles’ hand and make him a full-time major leaguer again.
Álvarez, who is in camp on a minor league deal without a contract out at the end of spring training, is vying for a bench spot and could end up seeing his chances boosted by the looming absence of designated hitter Mark Trumbo, who has a quadriceps strain.
“To get almost a full spring training in, that’s a little more ideal,” Álvarez said. “To get the at-bats and get the reps in before the season, obviously it’s important. ... You see more game-like pitches. It’s just more information that you’re being able to put into the memory bank. I just think it’ll make the transition into the season better. There’s nothing like experience and repetition and game-like reps. It can only be beneficial.”
Álvarez, who hit .249 with an .846 OPS and 22 home runs as a platoon designated hitter with the Orioles in 2016, returned on a minor league deal and attempted to learn right field to make himself more versatile for a future major league job.
That was ultimately abandoned, and after he hit 26 home runs at Triple-A Norfolk, he was called up in September and hit .313 with a home run. Showalter has said all spring how surprised the Orioles were that Álvarez was still available to return on a minor league deal this year, and he’s hit .238 with a home run in the Grapefruit League.
Trumbo’s injury creates a bench spot for someone of the group of Álvarez, Danny Valencia, Craig Gentry or Alex Presley, and the team is also looking outside the organization to fill that role. Especially in this market, power hitters who signed minor league deals and have opt-outs can be found.
Álvarez believes there’s a chance for him to fill a meaningful role this year, though.
“Every year could be different, so obviously, whether it’s here or any of the other 29 teams, I always personally think that I have a shot of making the team because of my abilities to play this game” Álvarez said. “At the end of the day, it’s all up to how the cards unfold and we’ll see what their decision is.
“Those are things that are out of my hands, whatever the situation is, At the end of the day, roster decisions are out of my hands. Those aren’t things I can focus on. I just try to come out here every day and show what I can do and get better. Obviously, I want to play up here but those are things that you can’t focus on because at the end of the day, they’re out of my control. We’ll just see what happens.” Tuesday’s game canceled: The Orioles’ game against the Rays was postponed because of an ominous forecast. Tuesday’s planned pitchers, Nestor Cortes Jr. and Miguel Castro, are scheduled to pitch after Harvey today. Tuesday’s game will not be made up.