Entering this season, and perhaps going forward as well, the Orioles had more corner bats than they had spots for them in the lineup. Injuries to outfielders DJ Stewart and Austin Hays, plus Rio Ruiz’s move to second base, have opened more playing time for everyone who needs it. But that calculus will change with Hays’ pending return, and he’ll come into a group that’s still largely trying to find its form.
Of the five full-time corner players who have been at manager Brandon Hyde’s disposal all year — Trey Mancini, Ryan Mountcastle, Anthony Santander, Maikel Franco and DJ Stewart — only Franco is hitting at a level near expectations, and in some ways exceeding them.