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Baltimore Orioles: Home Run Kings in 2016?

By Kyle Andrews

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Sep 24, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Seattle Mariners designated hitter Mark Trumbo (35) drives in 2 runs with a double against the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles have been at the top or near the top of the home run charts for the past four seasons. Last season they had 217 home runs, which put them in third place behind Houston and Toronto.

Of course, home run totals have been much the result of powerful first baseman Chris Davis. However, despite the loss of Davis, the Orioles still could have a lineup that can slug it out with the best teams in the Majors.

Adam Jones has been a consistent piece in the Orioles success. He has hit 121 home runs in the past four seasons. With Jones in the lineup, the Orioles are more than a formidable opponent. He brings the leadership to the clubhouse that has been the Orioles’ franchise.

Along with Jones, Manny Machado has continued to be a productive piece of the lineup. The budding superstar has been electric for the Orioles and he has hit 68 homers in his four seasons of play. Last season, his total jumped from 12 homers in his injury-riddled 2014 campaign, to 35 in his fully healthy 2015 campaign. Machado is only 23 years old. If he has the power to hit 35 home runs now, one could only imagine his power when he becomes more developed.

Matt Wieters also has the ability to hit many home runs while he’s healthy. From 2011-2013, Wieters hit at least 20 home runs a season. Wieters’ catching partner-in-crime Caleb Joseph can also put together solid home run totals for a backup. In his first season in the Majors in 2014, Joseph hit nine home runs in 82 games. He then came back last year to play in 100 games. He hit 11 home runs last year.

Jonathan Schoop hit 15 home runs last season in only 86 games of play. He’s also only a child by MLB age standards at the young age of 24. He is projected to add to that total next season by hitting 23 homers.

What has also been talked about has been the addition of Mark Trumbo. He gives the Orioles some serious pop in the lineup. Trumbo has the potential to hit 30+ homers at Camden Yards, although in the past couple of seasons he has only had totals of 22 in 2015 and 14 in 2014. He hasn’t really played in hitter friendly ballparks either, playing in Arizona and Seattle. This should be a reawakening for Trumbo’s power at the Yard.

Hyeon-Soo Kim has been added to the Orioles roster, and he was a slugger in his own right in the KBO. Last season with the Doosan Bears, Kim hit 28 homers. His home run numbers are expected to be comparable to Pirates third baseman Jung-Ho Kang, who hit 15 homers last season. 

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J.J Hardy also is expected to have a bounce-back season. His shoulder is feeling much better this offseason due to his strength training habit.

"“Got started working out earlier this year than I ever have,” Hardy said via the Baltimore Sun. “I’ve got about seven weeks under my belt now and it is feeling strong. Everything’s feeling good.”"

Hardy had a frustrating season at the plate, only hitting eight homers. He had multiple treatments to help his ailing shoulder, to no avail.

"“It was very frustrating and I think the shoulder, it was good for a little while when the cortisone was working early,” he said. “It wasn’t terrible, so I could play through it but it wasn’t good either.”"

The last piece of the pie could possibly be Yoenis Cespedes according to a few pundits. The Orioles along with the Chicago White Sox are the “leaders” of the pack of teams that want to sign Cespedes.

Here is a tweet from Jesse Sanchez of MLB.com that explains the development for Cespedes’ market:

If Cespedes was added to the Orioles lineup, he could instantly mash long balls at Camden Yards. Cespedes already has 106 home runs in his four-year career. Last season, he hit 35 homers. He could give the Orioles another man in the four hole for the foreseeable future. However, he is likely to receive $100 million or more. That could drive him out of the Orioles’ price range. If he cannot be signed by Baltimore, look for them to go in the direction of Justin Upton.

Next: An O's lineup with Cespedes in it

Upton hit 26 home runs last season in the large Petco Park. If he were to come to Baltimore, he could also produce big numbers. If the Orioles look in the direction of an Upton or Cespedes and can follow through in one of those signings, Baltimore would have a very scary and formidable lineup for any pitcher to face in the American League.

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