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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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Mar 2, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Mark Trumbo (45) at bat against the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2017; Sarasota, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Mark Trumbo (45) at bat against the Minnesota Twins at Ed Smith Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Baltimore Orioles

Baltimore Orioles’ DHs – Mark Trumbo, Trey Mancini, Pedro Alvarez, Chris Davis (1B), Hyun Soo Kim (LF)

IT is admittedly hard to put Trumbo, the 2016 HR leader in fourth, but it comes down to power AND average, and track record. Matt Holliday, Kendrys Morales, and Hanley Ramirez have it, although all are considerably older than Trumbo. It will be interesting to see if it plays out any differently as the season progresses.

Of course, Trumbo led baseball with 47 home runs in 2016, with a .256/.316/.533 slash line and 27 2Bs, 108 RBIs and 94 runs. Trumbo was an All-Star and a Silver Slugger in 2016.

However, for his career, Trumbo is just a .251 hitter and a guy who strikes out an average of 163 times. He struck out 170 in 2016.

Behind Trumbo, the young, powerful Trey Mancini could make the Orioles’ roster, but a lot depends on some of the outfield options and what happens. My guess is he doesn’t make the Baltimore Orioles roster. Pedro Alvarez is working out to be an outfielder, and I don’t think he makes the Opening Day roster. Davis will play 1B as much as possible, and Hyun Soo Kim could DH some, especially if the Orioles scrap their plan to DH Trumbo and move him to RF, which is not impossible.

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