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Baltimore Orioles: A Closer Look at Manny Machado’s Stellar Start

By Christopher Church

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 11: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Anthony Santander #25, Chance Sisco #15 and Jace Peterson #29 after hitting a Grand Slam in the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 11, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 11: Manny Machado #13 of the Baltimore Orioles celebrates with Anthony Santander #25, Chance Sisco #15 and Jace Peterson #29 after hitting a Grand Slam in the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 11, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado is putting up MVP-worthy numbers so far in 2018 as the MLB trade deadline inches closer.

Even with Baltimore Orioles trade rumors surrounding Manny Machado since the offseason, the three-time All-Star is delivering MVP type numbers in likely his last season with the Orioles.

Entering Tuesday’s MLB schedule, Machado’s 13 home runs are tied with Boston Red Sox’s Mookie Betts, Washington Nationals superstar Bryce Harper, Ozzie Albies of the Atlanta Braves and Josè Ramírez of the Cleveland Indians for the league lead.

Machado solely leads MLB with 38 RBIs and his .350 batting average is third among the league, only behind Betts and Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Odúbel Herrera.

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Machado also leads the Orioles in homers, RBIs, hits (55), walks (23), batting average, on-base percentage (.431), slugging (.669), and on-base percentage, plus slugging (1.100) and much more. And with his jaw-dropping start to the season, he may not be in a Baltimore Orioles uniform much longer as the MLB trade deadline approaches.

During the week ending on April 22, Machado produced a .429 batting average with three home runs, five RBIs and nine hits in 21 at-bats to earn AL Player of the Week with Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Manaea.

Machado feeds off right-handed pitchers and has hit 10 of his 13 home runs against right-handers.

For the past month, Machado has dazzled without his best friend and infield mate Jonathan Schoop, who returned to the Orioles lineup on May 8 after suffering a right oblique strain. Per The Baltimore Sun’s Eduardo A. Encina, Schoop’s MRI revealed a Grade 1 strain.

However, since Schoop’s return, Machado’s offensive numbers have soared once again. From May 8 through May 13, Machado has recorded four home runs, 11 RBIs and is hitting .370/.433/.889 during the span. Just like right-handed pitching, Machado feeds off Schoop’s energy.

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With both Machado and Schoop in their mid-20s and performing at an All-Star level, how could one Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette tear it apart?

On Tuesday, Herrera and Machado will face off in Baltimore as the Orioles open a brief two-game series against the Phillies.

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