3. The Great Mancini

For all the negatives this season, the emergence of Trey Mancini has to be the biggest positive in Baltimore. The 25-year-old wasn’t supposed to make the team. But he learned to play the outfield in spring training, and justified his presence in the field by crushing the ball routinely at the plate. He hit a bit of snag after a hot start, but he made adjustments, and continued to put together good at-bats instead of trying to homer at every opportunity. The results followed. Through his first full half in the majors, Mancini is leading the Orioles in batting average (.312), on-base percentage (.354) and slugging (.538). He has 15 doubles and 14 homers and held his own defensively in left field and at first base, his natural position. When the Orioles re-signed Mark Trumbo it appeared that Mancini was the odd man out. Instead, he’s worked his way into an everyday role. And when Davis returns from the disabled list, likely Friday, Mancini will continue to get regular starts, primarily in left field. He’s earned that.

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