The 2023 Orioles season has been one emotional roller coaster that has included two really big scares.
On May 30, All-Star outfielder Cedric Mullins was placed on the 10-day injured list for a right groin strain. A little over a week later, on June 10, first baseman Ryan Mountcastle was put on the 10-day IL himself with a spout of vertigo.
The fear was real as two catalysts in the O’s lineup would be out at the same time. To try and supplement the loss of Mullins, Orioles GM Mike Elias decided to sign outfielder Aaron Hicks, who was released by the Yankees just five days prior.
And with an uncertain amount of time ahead for Mountcastle, O’s manager Brandon Hyde chose to trust another Ryan, 29-year-old utility man Ryan O’Hearn, to try and fill the glaring hole that appeared.
Lucliky for the Orioles, those two moves might have been two of the best decisions made by Mike Elias, Brandon Hyde and Co. Let’s review how these two players, who came into these circumstances in two completely different ways, have stepped up to help a contending club keep pace in the AL East.
RYAN O’HEARN
Ryan O’Hearn’s 2023 season has been a whirlwind. The lefty slugger was acquired via trade prior to spring training, and although he played well in Grapefruit League action, O’Hearn didn’t make the big league club out of spring.
Since being called up from Triple-A Norfolk on May 9, O’Hearn has done nothing but help the Orioles win ball games.
“What hasn’t he done? Total pro. Gamer, loves to play, takes really good at-bats. Great in the clubhouse and dugout. Just doing a little bit of everything for us right now, and just the quality of his at-bats is really good.”
– O’s manager Brandon Hyde on Ryan O’Hearn
In 83 big league at-bats this season, O’Hearn has a .349/.389/.614 slash line with a 1.003 OPS. He has 29 total hits, seven doubles, five home runs and 19 RBIs.
Since Mountcastle was placed on the IL, O’Hearn has put together one of the best seven game stretches O’s fans have seen in a while. In those seven games, he has slashed .542/.577/.875 with a 1.452 OPS in 24 at-bats, tallying 13 hits, one double, two home runs and four RBIs.
O’Hearn has been everything and more offensively in Mountcastle’s stead. He’s making a real case to force Hyde to keep giving him everyday at-bats, even when Mounty returns.
AARON HICKS
When the Orioles signed Aaron Hicks, fans moaned and groaned, to put it mildly. Most saw a man hitting struggling mightily at the plate and looking lost in the Bronx. Although unpopular, the former Evil Empire member has become a fan favorite in a matter of weeks.
For context, Hicks was hitting just .188/.263/.261 in 28 games with New York this season, hitting one home run and five RBIs. In 16 games played with the Orioles, HIcks is currently slashing .327/.441/.551 with a .992 OPS in 49 at-bats.
In his time in orange and black thus far, the switch-hitting outfielder has 16 total hits, three doubles, one triple, two home runs and six RBIs. Hicks also has 11 runs scored and has 10 walks to the same number of strikeouts. He is also 2-for-2 in stolen bases and has shown that he can play Gold-Glove-caliber defense in center field.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The difficult decision for the Orioles is what the plan will be once Mullins and Mountcastle come back. While the O’s probably already have an idea of what the future looks like, this might be the best scenario.
The most logical option is to platoon Hicks and O’Hearn and keep them both on the 26-man roster. There’s no reason to mess up something if it’s not broken. Hicks, being a switch-hitter, can play against lefties, while O’Hearn can either play first or DH against right-handers.
Since Cedric Mullins went down on May 29, Hicks and O’Hearn have hit a combined 35-for-93, which is a batting average of .376. The two have also combined for five home runs and 14 RBIs in that span.
Hicks can essentially do everything Ryan McKenna can, plus some. McKenna might have a bit of an edge in speed and baserunning, but Hicks has above average defense and can run well for his size.
O’Hearn gives you a power lefty bat who can play first and the corner outfield while also providing a big bat off the bench in pinch-hitting situations.
The role both of these men have played in the success of this club can not be overlooked. Good teams have players step up when others go down, and that’s what has happened for the Birds in 2023.
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