It’s really difficult to take two different teams and say that they resemble each other almost perfectly.
It’s really simple when it’s not only the same franchise but both teams have the same qualities in players and makeup. That’s how it looks with the 2023 Orioles and the 2014 AL-East-winning Orioles.
First, let’s talk about both teams as a whole. The 2014 Orioles were 96-66 and won the toughest division in baseball, while the 2023 Orioles are currently 77-47 and are leading the AL East by three games.
There are key differences between the two teams, as the 2023 team is faster and steals more bases and is obviously miles younger.
But what really comes to mind is when you compare different aspects between the two teams, you really notice how similar they are. Let’s break it down a bit.
The Two All-Star Outfielders: Adam Jones and Nick Markakis –> Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins
The reliable outfielder who can get on base and play good defense, Jones’ 2014 season saw him slash .281/.311/.469 with a .780 OPS. Austin Hays in 2023 is slashing .281/.324/.451 with a .775 OPS. Both were double machines, and both were All-Stars. The outlier, Jones had 29 home runs, and Hays has just 12 so far.
The fact that Hays has turned into this reliable outfielder who can play all three positions and can be an on-base weapon makes him like 2014 Jonesy. Both were huge competitors for a Gold Glove in the outfield, with Jones winning it that season.
The other outfield duo that shows similarities is the two lefty hitters who are contact machines. Cedric Mullins has played in 78 games and has slashed .255/.334/.444 with a .778 OPS, while Nick Markakis in 2014 played in 94 games and slashed .276/.342/.386 with a .728 OPS.
Both players are also Gold Glovers in their outfield positions, and both are high contact players that had sneaky pop in the first half. Mullins had eight home runs and 61 hits, while Markakis had 113 hits with seven home runs in the first half of their respective seasons.
They both also had a high walk percentage and spent most of the season in the leadoff spot in the lineup. The only difference is that Mullins steals more bases with his plus speed.
The Breakout Utility Man: Steve Pearce –> Ryan O’Hearn
A semi-veteran who was overlooked by many and broke out when needed, turning into the ultimate utility player. This one completely blew my mind.
Steve Pearce, in 2014, had 21 home runs in 102 games and hit .293 with a .929 OPS. Ryan O’Hearn, in 78 games this season, has 10 home runs with a .299 average and an .843 OPS.
O’Hearn, like Pearce, plays primarily first base but can play either of the corner outfield spots and DH from time to time. And though both are utility players, they both were consistently and productively in the O’s lineup every night.
Pearce was signed by the Orioles during April of 2014, after he had a brief stint with the organization two years prior. O’Hearn was signed to a minor league contract and got his chance when injuries occurred. Both players didn’t have an impressive resume heading into the season, but both were big impactful players when the Orioles needed them most.
The Lockdown Setup Arm: Darren O’Day –> Yennier Canó
The funky delivery right-handed pitcher who was the lockdown setup man to hold the game and hand it over to the closer. The uncanny resemblance between Darren O’Day and Yennier Canó.
O’Day appeared in 68 games in 2014 and carried a 1.70 ERA in 68.2 innings pitched. Canó has pitched in 55 games in 2023 and currently has a 1.68 ERA in 59 innings pitched.
Both held batters to an average around .215, and O’Day had 25 holds, while Canó has 27. The only big difference is that O’Day was a reliable arm prior to the 2014 season, and this has become the breakout season for Canó.
The Lights Out Closer: Zack Britton –> Félix Bautista
Arguably the best closer in baseball who is trusted 99.9% of the time when the game is tight. This might be the most obvious similarity between these two clubs.
Something to quickly remember, the 2010s were a time for the Orioles when they were testing the waters on a closer, as Zack Britton wasn’t officially named the closer until the second half of the 2014 season. Nonetheless, the only big difference between he and Félix Bautista is that Britton is left-handed.
Britton had 37 saves in 2014, while Bautista currently has 32. Both had ERAs that are fantastic, as Britton had a 1.65 while Bautista has a 1.54. Both are known for their insane fastball with a disgusting offspeed pitch, and both were petrifying to face, especially in the ninth inning.
The Young Infield Stud: Manny Machado –> Gunnar Henderson
A 22-year-old Gold Glove third baseman with insane pop and sneaky speed. That would be a really good description of both Manny Machado and Gunnar Henderson in their respective seasons. Henderson has played in 113 games and carries a .815 OPS, as Machado played in just 82 games and had a .755 OPS.
The only big issue with the two seasons is that Machado had injury issues during the 2014 season. Henderson also has more pop than Machado did at this age, as Henderson had 13 home runs in the first half while Machado had nine. Henderson is the lefty version of Machado and has more potential than Machado, which is scary for every other team.
What do you think of these similarities between the 2014 and 2023 Orioles? 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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