One of the biggest and most controversial topics in the Orioles community lately is surrounding the one and only Cedric Mullins.
Does he deserve an active roster spot? Are we seeing the 2019 season play out again? Should we use him as a sole defensive replacement?
As we recall, when struggling to kick of his 2019 season, Mullins was demoted to Triple-A Norfolk, followed by Double-A Bowie, before finding his way back to the Orioles to kick off 2020.
By July of 2021, Mullins was named an American League All-Star starter and very quickly became the O’s highly dependable center fielder, with a dangerous lefty swing. Mullins’ 30/30 season will go down in the Orioles’ record books forever, and fans have burned it into their memory.
Many would say those demotions in 2019 helped essentially create the Mullins we know and love. He came back stronger and with more confidence than you’ve ever seen before.
So, why not do it again? Is it more of a mental-beating to stay in his massive slump or to be taken out of the game?
Sure, this has been going on for a little over five weeks now. Can we still call this a slump? A drought? A painful pause?
I’m not sure, but what I do know is that baseball changes fast, and it doesn’t take much to get going. Let me tell you why we can’t just kick Ced to the curb.
For one, his defense is just too good not to have on your club. His glove and speed alone are something you need on your roster come playoff time. He makes game-changing saves consistently, and that is not something the O’s would want to lose.
Secondly, as simple as it sounds, we are not in 2019 anymore, and this is not a rookie who just hit the majors. Demoting Mullins now, for a slump that can and will happen in a majority of MLB players’ careers, is not the answer.
Do I have the know-it-all answer? Of course not. I can suggest mechanics, I can talk until I’m blue in the face about where he should be standing on the plate, where his bat and hands should be, what pitches he should or should not be swinging at.
But what do I know? I’m not Cedric Mullins. At the end of the day, the player is the only person to get themselves out of a slump, which is what we may be seeing before our very eyes.
Recent data has shown that Mullins is not only putting the ball in play, but he’s also making much harder contact. So, before we start talking about demotions and UFA status, let’s talk about the positive trend we’ve seen these last few games.
The series against the Tampa Bay Rays was an improvement for Mullins, as he finally started making that good contact and got the ball right where he needed with a beautiful triple. Last night, the Orioles claimed their second win against the Atlanta Braves, and Ceddy had himself a two-hit night.
I’m not your stats queen, and I never will pretend to be. But what I can tell you with absolute certainty is that the Mullins I watched last night is not the same player who has caused a rise in your blood pressure.
I see confidence. I see the frustration draining. I see him quieting the noise, believing in himself and finding it.
Mullins, along with this stacked Orioles lineup, is still trustworthy in my eyes. If you want him to bat ninth, so be it. But let him bat.
Of course, it’s okay to not be jumping for joy over his performance these past two months. However, what we need to understand is that these players are human, too. These things will happen, and it’s about fighting your way back.
Mark my words. Cedric Mullins is about to go on a hot streak that none of us will see coming.
How do you feel about Mullins? 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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