LOS ANGELES – Cedric Mullins has become an entertainer when he’s on the basepath.

To go with his .243/.371/.392 slashline, along with his two home runs and 15 RBI, he’s got nine stolen bags, which leads the American League, and only two behind league leader Ronald Acuña Jr.

Mullins is currently on pace to reach over 70 stolen bases, which hasn’t been done since Jacoby Ellsbury back in 2009.

The last player to even reached 60 swipes was MLBbro Dee Strange-Gordon back in 2017. The last time a Bro reached 70 stolen bases was in 1999, when Tony Womack had 72. 

Cedric Mullins Is On Pace For More Than 70 Steals 

Mullins being a major threat on the basepath is nothing new, as he is the most recent inductee of the 30-30 club, hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases back in his All-Star season of 2021, and only the 21st player to ever do it in the American League.

He did even better last season, accumulating 34 stolen bases, which was third in the majors.

His electricity landed him a spot on the star-studded Team USA roster for the World Baseball Classic. While he didn’t steal a base, he had a home run and two RBI. 

Mullins got off to a hot start in his first five games this season, but fell into a slump. It’s been getting better for him in the last week, but still not back to what he’s capable of.

He’s normally the team’s leadoff man but has had a few games recently where he’s batting ninth, to possibly put less pressure on him at the moment so he can figure it out.

Either way, he’s being protected by the heart of the Orioles lineup, as they are still valuing his ability on the basepath very highly.

The Orioles are one of the younger teams in the MLB and have been projected to be a team who can make the next leap in their rebuild.

They’re 14-7, and currently on a six-game winning streak. That’s a great sign considering Mullins has his wheels clicking but not his bat yet.

They have a chance to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. The task won’t be easy, as they’re in a division that features the Yankees, Rays, and Blue Jays.

In order for the dream to become a reality, Mullins is going to have to play an integral role, as he is one of the leaders of this team, both on the field, and in the clubhouse. He’s been on the team since 2018, thus making him one of the team’s longest-tenured players.

For a team that has been one of the laughing stocks of the league for the last half decade, this may be the year where that painful stretch will finally come to an end. Mullins will play a huge role in whether or not they can find a way into the playoffs.