Orioles: 2016 AL East Positional First Base Rankings

By Nate Wardle | Oct 28, 2016

Oct 10, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox first baseman Hanley Ramirez (13) connects for a RBI single in the eighth inning against the Cleveland Indians during game three of the 2016 ALDS playoff baseball series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 15, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis (19) reacts after striking out in the first inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

2. Baltimore Orioles – Chris Davis (Prediction: 1st, Davis, Mark Trumbo, Christian Walker)

I said that the first base rankings wouldn’t be close, and Davis would run away with the rankings.

In the words of Lee Corso, not so fast my friend!

Davis struggled in the first year of his big contract, hitting .221/.332/.459 with 38 HR, 21 2B, 84 RBIs and 99 runs. Sure, the power numbers were there, but Davis also led the majors in strikeouts for the second year in a row. However, Davis still had a 2.4 oWAR, but what really sets him apart is his defense.

Chris Davis isn’t known as being a great defender, but if you watch enough Oriole games, you will realize he is. He picks almost anything at first base, saving errors with ease.

This year the metrics looked about the same as always, as dWAR had him as -0.2, and his range was better than average.

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