Without a doubt, Yennier Cano was one of the players in 2023 who made the biggest difference when it came to the Orioles overperforming expectations. The big Cuban righty went from a throw-in player in the Jorge López trade, to not making the team out of spring, to being a 2023 All-Star and integral part of the AL East champions.
The last several seasons, the Orioles have excelled at taking unheralded pitchers and turning them into difference makers at the back of the bullpen. In 2022 the breakout stars were López in the first half and Félix Bautista in the second half.