Catch of the year? Mullins adds on with milestone HR

BALTIMORE -- Saturday was jam-packed with action at Camden Yards. The Orioles posted their largest shutout win in franchise history with an 18-0 rout of the MLB-worst Rockies. Trevor Rogers delivered another seven-inning gem. Twelve O’s players had a hit; five had multiple.

But this was Cedric Mullins' night -- one that may later be remembered as a farewell party, depending on what unfolds between now and Thursday’s 6 p.m. ET Trade Deadline.

Few players in recent years have developed as strong of a connection with Baltimore as Mullins. That was never more evident than when the 30-year-old center fielder received the loudest cheers upon running down the orange carpet for the home opener on March 31.

A big reason for the support is Mullins’ style of play, which was exactly what made this his night.

Mullins added to his career highlight reel with another stellar diving catch, robbing Colorado’s Orlando Arcia of a hit in the third inning. Then in the fourth, Mullins blasted a three-run homer to the right-field flag court -- the 100th home run of his eight-year MLB career, all of which has been spent with the Orioles.

When Mullins returned to the field to open the fifth, he was met with a standing ovation, one he responded to with a tip of his cap.

“Baltimore has taken my family in since the beginning. I got drafted by Baltimore,” said Mullins, a 13th-round pick in 2015. “It’s just one of those things where you just feel welcome. The engagement that I have with the fans, and over the course of the years, has been nothing short of awesome. It’s just been fun being here.”

The Orioles (46-58) are operating as sellers ahead of this year’s Trade Deadline because of their disappointing season. They’ll likely be moving more players on expiring contracts (like Mullins) as they try to get a return for their pending free agents and then retool for 2026.

It’s easy to see why teams have interest in Mullins -- a former All-Star and Silver Slugger Award winner -- especially with not many center fielders seemingly available on the trade market.

On Mullins’ latest diving catch, he made a Superman-like extension to grab the ball in left-center. It was eerily similar to the catch he made on Jackie Robinson Day on April 15, 2024, a grab that Mullins still ranks above Saturday’s snag in his personal rankings.

“I personally put the one from last year above that one, just based off how it felt,” Mullins said. “I almost want to hear someone else's rankings at this point.”

Rogers knows where he would place it.

“It was the best catch I’ve ever seen,” Rogers said. “I still have no words for you. It was unbelievable.”

The numbers don’t tell Mullins’ whole defensive story. Entering Saturday, his minus-17 defensive runs saved (per FanGraphs) marked the worst total in baseball. He sometimes doesn’t take the best routes to balls -- or doesn’t get the best jumps -- and his arm strength ranks in the 45th percentile, per Baseball Savant.

But Mullins has the athleticism to overcome all of that and still make tremendous catches, as he has done quite often.

“The eye test doesn’t show that,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “When you look at the DRS -- and you guys watch the games every night -- it doesn’t match up with what I’m watching.”

Mullins’ offensive production has been up and down the past few seasons. But his combination of power and speed made him the first player in Orioles history to record both 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases in a season in 2021, when he had exactly 30 of each.

On Saturday, Mullins became the third Oriole to record 100 homers and 100 steals for the club, joining Brady Anderson (209 homers and 307 steals) and Paul Blair (126 and 167, respectively).

Anderson and Blair are both in the Orioles Hall of Fame. Mullins likely will be one day, too.

“We’re proud of Cedric for everything that he’s done. He’s had some great moments here throughout his career,” said Mansolino, who had been Baltimore’s third-base coach since 2021, before becoming interim manager in May. “Cedric is a guy that we love internally, and I feel like, externally, he’s loved as well by the fans.”

Added Rogers: “His night in general -- 100 home runs with this club and what he means to this organization and this city. My hat’s off to him. Great teammate, great person.”

As his time in Baltimore potentially winds down, has it hit Mullins that he could soon be leaving the only organization he’s known for a new team?

“I don't know if it's quite hit me that way yet,” Mullins said. “I think I'm still focused on the day to day, trying to improve my game every single day. Battling through some struggle, shooting for a win. So I don't think it's gotten to that point.”