Calling the Pen: Orioles need pitching, but it also might be time for change in the outfield

There are moments like this past weekend when one is reminded of what Austin Hays and Cedric Mullins mean to the Orioles. Along with outfield mate Anthony Santander, they’ve played side-by-side through the bad days and now the good ones.

On Friday night, after Clay Homes hit Heston Kjerstad on the helmet with a pitch, sparking a heated exchange between the Orioles and Yankees, Hays was the voice of reason, stating that Holmes’ dangerous pitch wasn’t intentional.

On Sunday afternoon, after Orioles closer Craig Kimbrel gave up a three-run homer to Ben Rice that put the Yankees ahead, 5-3, Mullins delivered a two-out double with the bases loaded to give the Orioles an improbable 6-5 win, ending a five-game losing streak and putting the Orioles a game ahead of the Yankees going into the All-Star break.

Hays and Mullins were with the team before the rebuild. Mullins was the Orioles’ first 30-30 man, hitting 30 home runs and stealing 30 bases in 2021. Hays was an All-Star last year, hitting .314 in the first half. They’re both exceptional fielders and men, providing part of the foundation of the team’s character.

Santander has been right there with them and shares their attributes. What separates him at this point is that he’s still producing at an All-Star level. He has 24 home runs, replaced Kyle Tucker as a reserve outfielder in the All-Star Game and had a key hit before Jarren Duran’s game-winning two-run homer that gave the American League a 5-3 victory.

As Orioles executive vice-president and general manager Mike Elias pursues another starting pitcher and probably a reliever for the second half and the playoffs, he also might be looking to reshape the outfield.

Colton Cowser seemed to be an answer in April, but he’s had only one strong month. Kyle Stowers and Kjerstad have demonstrated they can hit, and have been solid in the outfield, but they haven’t been used as everyday players. Like Mullins and Cowser, they’re also left-handed hitters, reducing the right-hand options.

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde often says that he likes his guys, and one can understand why. He’s loyal, and they’re loyal to him. It seems to be an unquantifiable part of the Orioles’ success and their team chemistry.

But some tough decisions appear to be necessary if the Orioles are going to stay at their current level. Hyde might want to give Mullins and Hays more time to regain their form, realizing the impact they make at the top of their game. But there seems to be too much shuffling and not enough production, with the exception of Santander.

The infield is in a better place, especially with Gunnar Henderson at short and Jordan Westburg at third. Jorge Mateo has played well defensively at second, showing his phenomenal range and athleticism, but he’s sliding again offensively. Hyde has two strong options at first with Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O’Hearn. In the wings are Coby Mayo, who doesn’t have anything left to prove at Norfolk, and Jackson Holliday, who would benefit from more time at Norfolk because of elbow inflammation that has prevented him from playing second base for a while.

Pitching, though, will be the determining factor in the Orioles’ success. I couldn’t help but notice Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal followed Corbin Burnes in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, thinking how exciting that would be in the Orioles’ rotation, followed by Grayson Rodriguez and Dean Kremer.

It’s remarkable that the Orioles are 58-38 after losing starting pitchers Kyle Bradish, John Means and Tyler Wells for the season, and left-handed reliever Danny Coulombe until at least September because of elbow injuries. On Sunday, the last game before the break, it seemed as if Oriole magic had returned.

That won’t carry them for the next 66 games of the regular season and a deep playoff run, however. It will require better pitching and hitting with runners in scoring position. With Burnes possibly a one-year rental, they need to take advantage of his presence.

The July 30th trade deadline is one they don’t want to miss.