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Baltimore Orioles: Does Trumbo’s return put O’s atop AL East DH rankings?

By Nate Wardle

Feb 27, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Mark Trumbo (45) bats in the second inning of the spring training game against New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles infielder Mark Trumbo (45) bats in the second inning of the spring training game against New York Yankees at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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As we enter the second half of March, many Baltimore Orioles fans are wondering when is Orioles Opening Day? Well, we’re happy to announce that we’re only 16 days away from the opener on April 3.

The Baltimore Orioles are set at the DH position, bringing back Mark Trumbo who is expected to see most of his time as the team’s designated hitter.

But, what about the rest of the division?

The DH position in the AL East is full of a new cast of characters, as several of the leading DHs from 2016 are no longer in the division. However, several of the people who played over ten games at the position in 2016 will likely see the majority of the time as the DH in 2017.

Before we get to a review of the 2016 AL East rankings at DH and the projections for 2017, be sure to check out the rankings at the positions in the field: Catcher; First base; Second base; Third base; Shortstop; Left field; Center field; and Right field.

2016 final rankings:

5. Tampa Bay Rays

4. New York Yankees

3. Baltimore Orioles

2. Toronto Blue Jays

1. Boston Red Sox

Mar 14, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Corey Dickerson (10) crosses home plate in the first inning in the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 14, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Tampa Bay Rays outfielder Corey Dickerson (10) crosses home plate in the first inning in the spring training game against the Baltimore Orioles at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Tampa Bay Rays

Tamps Bay Rays’ DHs – Corey Dickerson, Brad Miller (2B), Nick Franklin

The DH position is a little different, where defense doesn’t matter, and the secondary players often are starters at other positions. Dickerson finished 2016 in last, and he will be there in 2017 as well. While the other teams all will have different primary DHs, they all are better than Dickerson.

Corey Dickerson came over from Colorado and was expected to be a great hitter for Tampa Bay. This is a guy who was a .299/.345/.534 hitter in parts of three seasons for the Rockies.

However, in 2016 he hit .245/.293/.469 with 24 HRs, 36 2Bs, 70 RBIs and 57 runs. So, the power numbers were good, but the average not so much.

Dickerson was a 1.3 oWAR hitter in 2016. The other concern is his ability to stay healthy, something he did well in 2016. Of course, that could partially be due to being a primary DH instead of playing the field.

Miller will be one of the other DHs if not starting at 2B, and Franklin, the team’s expected utility player, could also see some time at DH.

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