So many different Orioles have stepped up at various times this year, and it may be a hard evaluation of who the biggest difference maker is this year. I break down who the top three most valuable Orioles have been this year.
3. Yennier Cano
Cano has been one of the best relievers in the game as evidenced by his All Star Game Selection. Although he has cooled off since his hot start, he still is one of the most trusted guys in the Baltimore Bullpen. But why is he the 3rd most Valuable Oriole?
The Baltimore Bullpen simply wouldn't be ranked as high as it is with Cano being an all star this year, especially with the hot stretch he had in the first half of the season. Cano has an ERA of 1.65 and a WHIP of 1.00. He has been dominant setting up Felix Bautista and helping the Orioles keep leads late in the game.
Plus how can you not love the Staredown?
2. Adley Rutschman
It's no secret that the Baltimore Orioles franchise turned around the day Adley Rutschman was promoted. Since then he has helped lead the team to one of the best records in the AL. When you look at his WAR numbers they are down in comparison to last year and some of his defensive metrics are down as well. Even with some regression in the numbers there is no metric that can fully tell how important he is to the Orioles.
1. Felix Bautista
Felix Bautista is the most dominant Oriole player right now. When Bautista enters the game you expect him to be nearly perfect, and for the most part this year he has. Brandon Hyde has shown his trust in him bu asserting him into non traditional closing pitcher roles. Not only will Bautista come on for additional work in extra innings, he also relies on him to enter the game in the 8th inning sometimes. He has turned into one of the key pieces for This Orioles team.
Bautista has a 16.5 avg of strikeouts per 9 innings and a 2.7 WAR according to Fangraphs.
With the role he is used in and the amount of close game the Orioles have played in it would be hard to think Baltimore would have the same success without Bautista.
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