It’s natural to go right to Manny Machado when thinking about the youth of the Baltimore Orioles. In reality, almost every conversation about the team should start and end with Machado.
But the 24 year-old superstar isn’t the only young player bringing a jolt to the Baltimore offense in 2017. A core of youthful Orioles that have all debuted in the past few years join Machado for this season.
These youth will lead the Orioles offense in the near future, with multiple stars at or near 30 years-old. Adam Jones, Chris Davis, Welington Castillo and Seth Smith all fall under this category. Those stars won’t be gone any time soon, but they could use some help in 2017.
Here are four young Orioles expected to make a difference this season.
3B Manny Machado (24 years-old)
Again, any conversation about the Orioles has to start and end with Machado. He is arguably the best third baseman in the league who is already in his prime. He has finished in the top five in the American League Most Valuable Player voting each of the last two seasons, and it would be surprising if he didn’t win one at some point in the future.
Machado is the anchor of the Baltimore lineup. Barring injury, he should hit in another 30-plus home runs and drive in at least 90-100 runs this season. Looking towards the future, he’s going to make a lot of money when he hits free agency in two years.
2B Jonathan Schoop (25)
Schoop had a career year for Baltimore last season. His 25 home runs and 82 runs batted in nearly outdid his output in his first two major league seasons combined. Not only was Schoop productive in 2016, but he was also durable. He was one of just three AL players to appear in all 162 games last season.
Schoop has earned himself a right to be in the middle of the Baltimore lineup in 2017, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if he stayed there for a while. At just 25 years-old he could have a very productive career ahead of him.
OF Joey Rickard (25)
Rickard may not start on Opening Day but he’ll be a key piece for the Orioles this season. He has proven that he can play all three outfield positions, and he can hold his own at the plate as well.
In 85 games last year, Rickard hit .268 with five home runs and 19 RBI’s. If Baltimore does not pick up another veteran outfielder, he could certainly see his playing time and production increase in 2017. And at just 25 years-old, he has potential to become a mainstay in the Orioles lineup.
1B Trey Mancini (24)
Mancini made his MLB debut at the end of 2016, and what a debut it was. He became just the third player in MLB history to hit a homer in each of his first three starts, as he hit three round-trippers in just 15 at-bats. Mancini should start 2017 on the major league roster, and he could even be the Orioles opening day starter at DH.
Mancini was a force in his last two seasons as a minor leaguer. In 2015 and 2016 he combined to hit .311, slugged 41 home runs and drove in 157 RBI’s. Orioles fans that he can eventually provide that production at the major league level.
Troy Mauriello is a Staff Writer at Outside Pitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter @TroyMauriello and contact him by email at troy.mauriello@yahoo.com.
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