Orioles: Five Players Who Exceeded Expectations in 2016

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Sep 28, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles pinch hitter Hyun Soo Kim (25) hits a two run home run against Toronto Blue Jays in the ninth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

I think you have to start with Hyun Soo Kim. Kim is a guy who many wanted the team to cut after he refused to go to AAA Norfolk to start the season.

He didn’t play much of the first month. Reports in Spring Training were that his defense was terrible.

Reports in Spring Training were that his defense was terrible.

Kim finished the year with 346 plate appearances in 93 games, with a .302/.382/.420 slash line with 16 2B, 6 HRs, 22 RBIs.

Kim didn’t make any errors in the outfield, although the sabermetrics did not rate him favorably. By the end of the year, he finished with a WAR of 0.6

Let’s be honest, without the HR by Kim off Roberto Osuna in the series against Toronto, the Orioles may not have even made the playoffs.

Kim will be an Oriole again in 2017 for the second year of his two-year contract.

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