One thing that was missing last season was the spark that Cedric Mullins could bring to the offense.
A catalyst for the team, Mullins’ 2023 season started off strong before abductor and groin injuries hampered him.
Through 53 games last season, Mullins was slashing .263/.356/.479 with 12 doubles, three triples, eight home runs and 13 stolen bases. After two stints on the IL, Ceddy slashed just .190/.232/.353 the rest of the way.
It was easy to see that Mullins’ injuries affected his season, and it culminated with an 0-for-12 showing in the ALDS. After an offseason that would see Mullins rest, build up his strength and get healthy, he has shown just what type of player he can be.
“When Ced’s healthy, it’s game-changing for us, just what he brings. The defense for me is Gold Glove defense in center field. But, offensively, the ability to get on base, steal, hit for power. The first couple months last year, when he got on base, he scored.”
– O’s manager Brandon Hyde on Cedric Mullins
Mullins stood out in practice today, showing off some of his power and strength. Against Cole Irvin, he lined a pitch up the middle and squared up one between short and third. Justin Armbruester was then greeted with a blast off the right-center-field scoreboard.
“I knew that one was gone off the bat. Threw me some good pitches, left one hanging, I was able to take advantage of it. I did see where it hit off. I looked back, and I was like, ‘That dad strength’s kicking in a little bit.’”
– Cedric Mullins on his performance today
Jackson Holliday showed off some pop of his own, lining a pitch off the center field fence against Seth Johnson. He also struck out against Johnson and grounded out against Armbruester.
Holliday wanted to get stronger and added 10 pounds of muscle during the offseason from an intense workout program. He can now bench 315 pounds, squat 455 pounds and deadlift 500 pounds, according to his trainer.
Holliday is getting a lot of work at second base this spring. The hope is to get him as comfortable there as at shortstop. This also increases his flexibility to get him on the field more.
Jorge Mateo is also working at other positions. Mateo, who has played 259 of 263 games with the Orioles as a shortstop, will be getting extra reps in center field and at second base.
During the offseason and winter ball, Mateo played both the outfield and second base to help ease the switch and expand his role to more of a super-utility player.
“He [Mateo] just adds so much versatility to us because he can play so many other positions, and he’s so athletic. We just kind of want to keep our options open with him.”
– O’s manager Brandon Hyde on Jorge Mateo
Kaleb Ort, who’s now with his fourth team since October, worked out with the team today. He focused on his mechanics over the offseason and worked on defining his cutter.
“Little usage in games, but definitely some, so I’m excited to keep working on that and adding that in. Just trying to add in some more stuff instead of being so two-pitch. Trying to add in that and throwing the changeup a little bit more.”
– Kaleb Ort on his cutter
Pitchers got extra work today, as Cole Irvin, Seth Johnson and Justin Armbruester worked multiple innings today.
Kyle Bradish had his third round of throwing. This time, he increased his distance to 90 feet as his throwing program progressed.
Lastly, infielder Diego Castillo cleared waivers and was assigned to Triple-A Norfolk today. The Orioles claimed Castillo on February 16 before designating him for assignment after acquiring left-hander Matt Krook.
That’s all we have for this edition of SpringNotes. Make sure to come back tomorrow, as we help guide you through all the news and updates from O’s camp.
What’s catching your eye in O’s camp so far? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, Twitter (X) and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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