Cedric Mullins, CF, BAL
The Baltimore Orioles have struggled during the first month of the season. Injuries, a lack of quality starting pitching, and a slow start offensively have plagued the team. One of the few consistent players has been outfielder Cedric Mullins.
The former Orioles' 13th-round draft pick in the 2015 MLB Draft is off to an excellent start. He's batting .279 with six home runs and five stolen bases. His .967 OPS leads the club and is in the top 10 in the majors. His 20 RBIs in 25 games are tied for the 14th best in baseball.
Philadelphia does not have enough depth in its outfield. Nick Castellanos is off to a solid start, and Johan Rojas looks to have improved offensively from last year. He appears to have taken the reins as the club's starting centerfielder. Max Kepler has performed decently enough to be a starter, but it remains to be seen if he can do better. Brandon Marsh's performance before his injury was a cause for concern. He was not performing well enough to be a reserve outfielder, let alone a starter.
Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser suffered a fractured thumb earlier in the season and he is expected to be out for two months. Manager Brandon Hyde and multiple teammates offered praise for Mullins' hot start and positive presence in the clubhouse despite the team's slow start and injuries, according to MLB.com's Jake Rill.
"I hope that they’re looking at him,” Hyde said about Mullins' impact on the younger Orioles players, per Rill. “He’s competing every at-bat, every pitch. There’s a lot of fight in his at-bats. Hope guys are watching. ... He’s not the most talkative guy, but he’s willing everybody with the way he’s playing.”
The Phillies have plenty of individuals who have the same mindset as Mullins. However, his approach could have an impact on a more experienced roster. Philadelphia has been in a rut for over two weeks, and it seems the players need to channel the outfielder's advice to the younger players of maintaining a positive attitude and aiming to be better the next day.
Despite being in a contract year, the 30-year-old is focused and aiming to lead the Orioles by example. If the Phillies traded for Mullins, his leadership would have an impact on a young outfielder such as Rojas.
Mullins would provide the Phillies with another option to hit at or near the top of their batting order. He can steal bases and has done a good job this year in drawing walks. The Greensboro, North Carolina, native has 19 walks, tied for the 10th most in MLB.
“I continue to preach coming in the next day with a positive attitude, a positive mindset,” Mullins said about what he brings to the Orioles' clubhouse, per Rill. “Come in with an approach to be better the next day. I’m challenging the guys to continue to do that, even through the struggle, and watch things turn around slowly.”
Dombrowski should pursue Mullins if he's available. He will be mentioned in trade conversations, especially if he continues his solid play leading up to the deadline. The outfielder is a pending free agent and may not be in Baltimore's plans beyond this season. They have multiple younger players led by Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman who fans hope the team will keep for several years.