Cedric Mullins Has Become an All-Star Center Fielder for the Baltimore Orioles

Introduction

Cedric Mullins has quickly become a fan favorite for the Baltimore Orioles. The speedy center fielder debuted for the O's in 2018 and has dazzled fans with his athleticism and exciting style of play. Mullins is known for his blazing speed on the base paths and stellar defense in center field. His #31 Orioles jersey has been a top seller among fans since he established himself as a core piece of Baltimore's rebuild.

Cedric Mullins' Rise with the Orioles

The Orioles drafted Cedric Mullins in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB draft out of Campbell University. He worked his way up through the minor leagues and made his MLB debut on August 10, 2018. Mullins impressed right away, hitting a home run and two doubles in his second career game. He finished the 2018 season batting .235 with 4 home runs and 11 RBIs over 45 games.

The 2019 season saw Mullins struggle to replicate his initial success. He batted just .094 through 14 games before being sent down to the minors. However, he used his time in Triple-A to work on adjustments at the plate. When Mullins returned to the majors in September, he looked like a completely different hitter. In 20 games down the stretch, he batted .318 with 6 doubles, 4 home runs, and 12 RBIs.

Breakout 2020 Shortened Season

Cedric Mullins entered 2020 needing to prove he could sustain his success from the prior September. He did just that and them some during the shortened 60-game season. Mullins batted .271/.315/.496 with 7 doubles, 3 triples, 7 home runs, and 12 stolen bases. He was one of the lone bright spots for an Orioles team that finished 25-35. Mullins' speed, defense, emerging power, and highlight-reel catches made him a player to watch moving forward.

All-Star Season in 2021

The 2021 season saw Cedric Mullins elevate his game to All-Star status. He was excellent from start to finish, batting .291/.360/.518 with 30 doubles, 5 triples, 30 home runs, and 30 stolen bases. Mullins joined exclusive company as only the 7th player in MLB history with 30 doubles, triples, home runs, and stolen bases in a season. He was named an American League All-Star and finished 9th in AL MVP voting after leading the Orioles in nearly every offensive category.

Cedric Mullins' Style of Play

Part of what makes Cedric Mullins such an exciting player is his style of play. Mullins has elite speed that he puts to good use in all aspects of the game. He is a constant threat on the base paths, putting pressure on the defense with his base stealing ability. Mullins' speed also gives him outstanding range in center field. He covers tremendous ground and can run down balls in the gaps with ease.

In addition to his speed and defense, Mullins has developed into an extra-base hit machine at the plate. He sprays line drives to all fields and has enough power to drive balls into the gaps and over the wall. His compact left-handed swing generates surprising pop. Mullins also shows good discipline at the plate, walking at an above average clip to boost his on-base skills.

Dazzling Defense and Baserunning

Cedric Mullins makes almost daily appearances on Orioles highlight reels thanks to his defensive skills. He has a penchant for making incredible diving and leaping grabs in center field. Mullins gets tremendous jumps on balls and takes perfect routes. His catches robbing batters of extra-base hits are regularly featured on Top 10 lists.

On the bases, Mullins strikes fear into opposing batteries. He is a smart and opportunistic base stealer, swiping 30+ bags in 2021. Mullins picks his spots wisely and has an excellent 82% career stolen base success rate. His speed also makes him a constant threat to take the extra base on hits. Mullins routinely goes first to third on singles and first to home on doubles.

Cedric Mullins' Increasing Popularity

As Cedric Mullins has improved each season in Baltimore, his popularity among fans has grown exponentially. His #31 Orioles jersey became one of the top sellers almost overnight after his breakout 2020 campaign. Mullins' likable personality and talent on the field resonated with fans eager for a new star to cheer for during the O's rebuild.

Orioles fans appreciate Mullins' hard-nosed style of play and hustle on each play. His highlight-reel catches, stolen bases, and extra-base hits have quickly made him a fan favorite at Camden Yards. Chants of "Mullins" routinely break out when he makes a spectacular play or has a big hit. Mullins has also built a large following on social media, where his highlights frequently go viral among MLB fans.

面对未来

Heading into 2023 at age 28, Cedric Mullins appears poised for more strong seasons. The Orioles hope he will be one of the veteran leaders on a young team gaining experience in the AL East. Mullins signed a long-term contract extension prior to 2022, keeping him in Baltimore through at least 2025. Fans can expect many more thrilling plays from the Orioles' center fielder as he cements himself as one of the most popular players in team history.

FAQs

When did Cedric Mullins make his MLB debut?

Cedric Mullins made his MLB debut for the Baltimore Orioles on August 10, 2018.

How many stolen bases did Mullins have in 2021?

Mullins stole 30 bases for the Orioles in 2021 while batting .291 with 30 home runs.

What defensive position does Cedric Mullins play?

Cedric Mullins is the starting center fielder for the Baltimore Orioles. He is known for his speed and stellar defense in center field.