Baltimore Orioles Star Cedric Mullins Is At A Career Crossroads| He’s The Perfect MLBbro For A Championship Contender

Baltimore Orioles Star Cedric Mullins Is At A Career Crossroads| He’s The Perfect MLBbro For A Championship Contender

by | Apr 16, 2022 | THE LEAD OFF

Although Baltimore Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins, aka CM Storm, burst onto the scene with an All-Star campaign in 2021, he and the franchise are already at a crossroads.

With the Orioles torn between retooling their farm system and building around their current All-Star caliber cornerstone players, MLBbro Cedric Mullins finds himself stuck in the middle.

With Baltimore coming off a 5th-place finish in the AL East in 2021 along with an equally dismal start to 2022, combined with their unwillingness to increase their payroll, Mullins could find himself roaming center field for another franchise by the trade deadline.

A Rising Star

The mere mention of trading Mullins should be laughable as last year was the best statistical season of his young career. It was the first full season he was able to play due to the shortened 2020 season and him splitting time between the Majors in minors in 2019.

He finished 2021 ninth in AL MVP voting with a .291 batting average, 30 HRs, and 59 RBI. Mullins was also the only player in 2021 to join the 30/30 club with 30 stolen bases as well. Mullins was one of, if not, the best leadoff hitters in the Majors last year.

Cedric Mullins Knocking On Door Of Exclusive 30-30 Club | mlbbro.com



Trade or No Trade, Mullins will Excel

With the rest of the AL East constantly adding talented players, the Baltimore Orioles would be wise to refrain from moving him. At age 27, Mullins is on the verge of his prime and is the type of offensive catalyst that can keep pace with the other stars in the American League. But it was made evident this offseason that several other teams were interested in his skills. The Yankees were one of the most notable teams to inquire about his availability.

Whether he is traded or not could affect him in several ways. If traded to a winning franchise, he could be elevated to another level. The production Mullins delivered at the plate in 2021 was enough for a top 10 MVP finish even playing for a team that was well below .500.

Joining a team in playoff contention could raise him to top 5 MVP consideration.

Cedric Mullins Is An All-Star | Period, End of Story | mlbbro.com

Mullins Vital to Future of Orioles

The future of Cedric Mullins and the Orioles are both in the air at the current moment. Mullins spent most of the winter wondering if he would remain in Baltimore.

Many teams were interested in the services of the versatile outfielder and asked about the price needed to acquire him.

The Orioles were not conservative in their demands for hefty returns for Mullins. They are aware that he is a young star and will be under club control through the 2025 season.

If the Orioles decide to trade Mullins, the team could receive several prospects to bolster their farm system going forward. In contrast, by not trading Mullins, the Orioles could resign him, and form a one-two punch with Adley Rutschman to carry the team as it continues its climb out of the AL East cellar.


Slow Start, With a Brightside

Cedric Mullins has gotten off to a slow start in 2022. The Orioles are hopeful that he returns to his 2021 form soon.

He was the team leader in most offensive categories last year, with 175 hits, 91 runs, 72 XBH, 59 walks and 30 stolen bases. Mullins also led the team in batting average, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and OPS.

Baltimore will still do its due diligence and vet trade offers for Mullins. With at least three years to be under team control after 2022, Mullins must continue to post MVP caliber numbers to earn significant contracts via arbitration.

Maintaining his All-Star status will either convince the Orioles to commit to him, or entice another team to trade for him, thus choosing to make him a part of their future.

Whether in Baltimore or with another franchise, Mullins looks poised to be at an All-Star level for years to come.

Orioles Star Cedric Mullins Runs It Down & Talks All Things Baseball With MLBbro.com

Orioles Star Cedric Mullins Runs It Down & Talks All Things Baseball With MLBbro.com

by | Jun 24, 2021 | CLEAN UP

Baltimore Orioles centerfielder Cedric Mullins has been one of the surprises of this MLB season. The former bunt master has expanded his game at the plate and is among league leaders in batting average, hits and OPS. He’s been the most consistent of the MLBbros this season and deserves a spot on the 2021 AL All-Star team, despite his Orioles’ last-place standing in a tough AL East.

Get to know the player we affectionately named “CM STORM”

 

Cedric Mullins Is An All-Star | Period, End of Story

Cedric Mullins Is An All-Star | Period, End of Story

by | Jun 15, 2021 | THE LEAD OFF

New World bird soars ahead of Mid-Summer classic

 

The Baltimore Orioles may finish with the worst record in baseball this season. Still, the organization has a player on their roster worthy enough to send to Denver next month for the Midsummer Classic.

His name is Cedric Mullins AKA CM Storm. 

Through the first week and a half of the season, the Orioles outfielder had a batting average of .459, an on-base percentage of .512, and a slugging percentage of .676. 

 

 

Although still impressive, Mullins’ numbers took a hit at the plate in May as he slashed .255/.366/.396. When you’ve placed such a high bar on yourself, like most players, eventually, your numbers will begin to drop. 

Some blame the dip in production on the switch hitter’s batting from the right side of the plate.

Numbers indicate he would have a better chance at longevity if he eliminated one side of the dish by batting southpaw, and the stats have shown that batting lefty is ultimately his best side.

With the change, through the first 29 games of the season, April statistics indicated that Mullins led Major League Baseball in home runs and hits.

 

As the calendar transitioned from spring to summer, his bat and mental focus became impenetrable as pitchers could not cool him off.  

Through the first two weeks of June, Mullins has 12 hits out of 20 tries, totaling seven runs, four RBI, four walks, three homers, and zero strikeouts.

 

 

As of June 7, Mullins led the American League in hits after his previous two-game performance, where he went eight for nine with five runs, four RBI, and three home runs.

The man’s bat is hotter than fish grease.

Mullins continues to prove that his skill set is not one-dimensional, as his glovework has been astonishing in center field. Per Statcast, his Outs Above Average are top 10.

 

 

Fangraphs.com  has him ranked as the best center fielder regarding wins above replacement. Fellow MLB bro Byron Buxton is second on the list, followed by Mike Trout, putting Mullins in good company.

Let us not forget about his work on the bags as he currently has 10 stolen bases on 14 tries, tied for tenth in the big leagues. 

Teammate John Means told “The Leadoff Spot” on MLB Network Radio that Mullins is one of the most entertaining players to watch when he is on as he does everything so well.

Means said, “He will bunt, hit for power, plays defense, he is a gold glove caliber center fielder, it is incredible.” He continued, “I saw this coming up in the Minor Leagues as he was one of the best Double-A players I have ever seen as he does everything so well. I am glad he is starting to show.”

 

 

The potential All-Star is outer-worldly.  

Through 63 games, Mullins has accumulated 34 runs with 19 RBI to currently average .321/.387/.527. He has hit safely in eight of nine games in June, collecting 17 out of 36 hits.

The man’s hustle and love for the game have been on full display as he is looking like a guy who could hear his name called for a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger, and probably votes for the leagues’ Most Valuable Player at seasons end.

Mullins is living proof that one must learn to shine in defeat before basking in glory, as losing builds character. Overcoming challenging circumstances will someday make you a champion, and we here at MLBbro.com champion CM smooth as a 2021 MLB All-Star.