The Baltimore Orioles season is off to a spicy hot start in 2023. The Orioles, at the end of April, are currently sitting with a 19-9 record (second best in the AL) and are currently in second place in the AL East.
The bats have been hot, and the arms have been firing, as this team has shown that they are more put together than a well-oiled machine.
Let’s review and recap the month of April for the Orioles by highlighting key performers and moments from throughout the month.
MONTHLY STATS
The Orioles’ offense has been simply one of the best in the American League. Baltimore is currently sixth in runs (147), seventh in RBIs (142), fourth in walks (109) and third in stolen bases (30).
While the offense has been producing, so has the pitching staff. With a 4.22 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP, the Orioles have been very consistent this season. But it’s safe to say that five specific players have been showing out this season.
KYLE GIBSON – RHP
When the Orioles signed Kyle Gibson back in December, fans were expecting a Jordan Lyles type of player: a player that eats innings and helps keep the bullpen healthy and well-rested.
I don’t think anyone expected Gibson to be an absolute ace for the team to start the year. In the six games he has started, Gibby is 4-0 with a 3.93 ERA in 34.1 innings.
The 35-year-old veteran righty has given up 34 hits, 15 earned runs, 11 walks and has compiled 27 strikeouts and three quality starts. Gibson has been the best starting pitcher on the team so far this season.
TYLER WELLS – RHP
I wanted to give Tyler Wells Pitcher of the Month honors so badly, as he’s has been absolutely dominant to start the season.
Wells has carried a 2.79 ERA in 29 innings pitched and has held batters to a .176 average. He has a WHIP of 0.72, which is a league-best among all qualified pitchers.
The former Rule 5 selection was given a starting spot out of spring training and has picked up from where he left off after his strong 2022 season.
PITCHER OF THE MONTH: YENNIER CANÓ
Now, there are multiple players that could have gotten this recognition. However, I don’t think you can disagree that Yennier Canó has been hands down the best pitcher in the O’s bullpen.
In the nine games he’s pitched, Canó has yet to give up a hit or walk a batter. He has two saves, five holds and 12 strikeouts so far this season.
It’s hard to believe Canó was called up to the big leagues due to Keegan Akin going on paternity leave. He’s been the most reliable arm in that already impressive O’s bullpen.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Félix Bautista, Mike Baumann and Danny Coulombe
AUSTIN HAYS – OF
Hays has been red hot to start the season, slashing a clean .312/.363/.538 with a .901 OPS in 26 games, 93 at-bats. He has 29 total hits, 17 runs scored, seven doubles, one triple, four home runs and 11 RBIs.
Hays also has eight walks to 25 strikeouts, something that will need to be worked on. However, Hays has been an absolutely huge part of the Orioles offense to begin the year.
POSITION PLAYER OF THE MONTH: JORGE MATEO
There has not been a better hitter to start the season off for the Orioles than Jorge Mateo. The speedster has turned into a power hitting threat in the middle of the O’s lineup, slashing .347/.395/.667 with a 1.062 OPS in 23 games, 72 at-bats.
Mateo has 25 total hits, 21 runs, five doubles, six home runs and 17 RBIs thus far. He also has 10 stolen bases and 12 strikeouts to six walks. If Mateo continues this tear, the league is in trouble.
HONORABLE MENTIONS: Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutschman
KEY MOMENTS FOR APRIL
The start of the season has been memorable, to say the least. Some of the key moments of the month are:
- Adley Rutschman goes 5-for-5 on Opening Day
- Ryan Mountcastle’s two-home-run, nine-RBI game against Oakland
- Orioles did not lose a single series opener
- Orioles not allowing a run in 34 consecutive innings
- Adley Rutschman hits his first-career walk-off home run
- MLB Debuts: Grayson Rodriguez (April 5), Joey Ortiz (April 27)
The Orioles’ start to the season has been memorable despite the last couple of years of pain. Hopefully, May continues the trend and still shows the dominance of the Birds, with a much tougher schedule ahead.
What do you think of the O’s start to the 2023 season? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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