On Tuesday, Baltimore Orioles prospect Trey Mancini made his Major League debut, starting at designated hitter for an O’s squad deep in the heart of a Wild Card race.
In the bottom of the third, he stepped to the plate for the first time as a big leaguer. What happened next was one of the most unremarkable first at-bats in MLB history. With Boston Red Sox lefty Eduardo Rodriguez on the mound, Mancini took a fastball up an away for ball one then flew out to right fielder Mookie Betts on the second pitch he saw.
That’s not the at-bat you’re going to see on SportsCenter.
In the bottom of the fifth, Boston up 2-0 and Rodriguez still pitching, Mancini stepped to the plate for the second time as a big leaguer. He took a changeup away for ball one then whiffed on a changeup down (maybe out) of the zone. On the 1-1 pitch, Mancini turned on a 93 mph fastball and drilled an absolute laser toward left center.
No one (at least no one on the field) stood a chance at catching this one.
The ball soared over the bullpens in Camden Yards, traveling a projected distance of 434 feet. Mancini raced around the bases, his mother had a religious experience, and the hometown crowd demanded a curtain call.
As ESPN Stats & Info noted, Mancini joins second baseman Jonathan Schoop as the only recent Orioles to homer in their debuts.
Trey Mancini: 2nd @Orioles player in last 50 seasons to homer in his MLB debut (Jonathan Schoop, 2013 vs TOR)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 21, 2016
Perhaps no team in baseball has embraced its identity like the O’s. They hit the ball really, really, really far. It’s what they do. If his first game is any indication, Mancini will fit right in with the powerful Baltimore offense.
With Steve Pearce sidelined for the remainder of the season, Mancini could see additional at-bats down the stretch. A first baseman by trade, he’ll be joining a crowded field at the 1B/DH position. Chris Davis and his gargantuan power (and contract) are entrenched at first. Meanwhile, veteran slugger Pedro Alvarez has spent a bit of time at third this season but is better suited for a DH role.
Regardless where he ends up on the field or in the lineup, Mancini will likely be a nice addition for an Orioles team still hoping to secure a playoff birth. They’re currently in line to be one of the two AL Wild Card teams but that is certainly not set in stone.
Scott Ferris covers the Braves as a Staff Writer for Outside Pitch MLB. You can follow him on Twitter @ScottHFerris
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