Major League Baseball announced the finalists for the All-MLB team earlier this evening. This honor is given to the best players at each position across both leagues. First and second teams are decided by a fan vote and media members, former players and baseball officials. It was established in 2019.
The six Baltimore Orioles nominees are: catcher Adley Rutschman, outfielder Anthony Santander, relief pitcher Felix Bautista, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, starting pitcher Kyle Bradish, and relief pitcher Yennier Cano.
The Orioles had four nominees in 2022. Cionel Perez was a nominee last season, and Rutschman, Santander and Bautista are back-to-back nominees.
These six players helped lead the O’s to the fourth most wins in franchise history in 2023. Their play also earned them a division title, their first since the 2014 season and 10th overall. They were the #1 seed in the American League, hosting their first playoff series since the 2014 season.
Kyle Bradish was the undisputed ace on the Orioles staff. Bradish went 12-7 with a 2.83 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 30 appearances. His 2.83 ERA was the fourth lowest in baseball behind Blake Snell, Gerrit Cole and Sonny Gray. Bradish allowed 2 runs or fewer in 21 of his 30 starts, which is incredible. He was known for going late into ball games, and that spread throughout the staff down the stretch.
Felix Bautista (also known as “The Mountain”) had lots of success in ’23 after finding a groove in ’22. In a season that was shortened by injury, Bautista had 33 saves (8th most), 110 strikeouts and a 1.48 ERA. Bautista was known for his 100+ miles per hour fastball, and a splitter that would embarrass hitters. If the O’s were up by a run with an inning left, they knew exactly who to go to.
Yennier Cano had an odd start to a terrific year. Acquired in the Jorge Lopez trade, Cano didn’t even make the 2023 opening day roster. He made his season debut on April 14th and didn’t give up a hit until May 2nd. Cano earned his first All-Star appearance and finished with a respectable 2.11 ERA with 65 strikeouts.
I’m starting to sound like a broken record when talking about Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson. Get used to it folks, these young stars aren’t going anywhere. Rutschman (25) and Henderson (22) just finished their first full seasons in the big leagues, and they were amazing ones at that. The two lead the team in most major hitting categories and are regarded as some of the best of their respective positions. Gunnar Henderson will most likely win AL Rookie of the Year in about a week, and both of these players have MVP-capability.
Anthony Santander has been around the longest (since 2018), but “Tony Taters” shows no signs of slowing down. The 29-year-old smashed 28 home runs (tied for the team lead) and knocked in 95 RBIs. Santander mainly plays DH, but don’t let that fool you, he made some diving grabs out in right. Did I mention he played some first base? In a team full of youth, this veteran can do it all.
As the Orioles continue to bring up more young guys in the minors, they have the opportunity for more All-MLB nominations. Keep an eye out, because these players will become household names (if they aren’t already).
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