Cedric Mullins and the buntin’ Birds

[Frobby]

Cedric Mullins has seven bunt hits this year, more bunt hits than any other team in the league.   As a team, the O’s have 12 bunt hits, twice as many as the second place Phillies.  

The O’s also lead the majors in successful sacrifice bunts, with 11 in 12 attempts.   

I have to admit, I’m really enjoying watching well-executed small ball.    For years it seemed like the O’s were utterly inept at laying down a bunt.   I realize there’s a lot of downside to giving up an out with a sac bunt, but if you’re going to do it, at least do it well.

By the way, the O’s are batting .444 when bunting for a hit, led by Mullins with a cool .777 in his 9 attempts to bunt for a hit.

Here’s a nice article on the buntin’ Birds.   https://www.mlb.com/orioles/news/orioles-bunting-more-than-every-mlb-team

 

[Philip]

His exit velocity is about 40 MPH. I love bunt hits, But If he can’t get the occasional ringing double, he’s going to have trouble.

[ScGO's]

when he's not attempting to bunt for a base hit, he is batting .149 (I believe)

[Sports Guy]

It is funny how you can grow to appreciate the little things about the game when those little things are essentially non existent in the sport..bunting, stealing a base, a starter going 6 innings, etc...

That being said, it’s a nice skill to have but when this is essentially all you can hang your hat on, that’s not good.

[Moose Milligan]

26 minutes ago, ScGO's said:

when he's not attempting to bunt for a base hit, he is batting .149 (I believe)

That's what I came in here to ask/figure out.  His bunts are great but the rest of his batting leaves much to be desired.  

[sportsfan8703]

A .667 OPS from a premium defensive position like CF won’t kill you. It would be nice to see him steal more as well, but I think that’ll come with experience. His obvious weaknesses are no HR power this year, needs to walk more, and hitting from the right side. 
 

Over his last 15 games,

 

.319

.373

.404

[ChrisP]

Good for Cedric (and the Birds). I hope he sticks as a 4th OF for a few years.

With the horrible extra-inning rule, it certainly helps to have guys who can get the runner to 3rd. 

[BohKnowsBmore]

9 minutes ago, ChrisP said:

Good for Cedric (and the Birds). I hope he sticks as a 4th OF for a few years.

With the horrible extra-inning rule, it certainly helps to have guys who can get the runner to 3rd. 

Also guys with speed who can come off the bench as a PR

[CarrRun49]

41 minutes ago, Moose Milligan said:

That's what I came in here to ask/figure out.  His bunts are great but the rest of his batting leaves much to be desired.  

I didn't realize this either.  I just kept seeing that Cedric was turning the corner and saw his BA rise.  Never really noticed the amount of bunt base hits and lack of a BA when not bunting.  So, I guess he still is who we thought he was?

[Aristotelian]

Mets announcers pointed out his hit after the second bunt attempt was a ground ball through the hole between first and second, right in the spot that a shifted defender would normally be. In addition to being a high average play in itself with his speed and bunting ability, the threat of a bunt also takes away the shift.

[BRobinsonfan]

60 ABs is not a lot to judge his performance on but I'm glad he's finding ways to get on base in his limited playing time.  Does he have the green light to bunt or is Hyde calling all these?  

 

 

[BRobinsonfan]

2 hours ago, ScGO's said:

when he's not attempting to bunt for a base hit, he is batting .149 (I believe)

He's 7 for 9 so I think that makes it .183 when he's not attempting to bunt for a hit.  Still not great but SSS.  

[Moose Milligan]

59 minutes ago, CarrRun49 said:

I didn't realize this either.  I just kept seeing that Cedric was turning the corner and saw his BA rise.  Never really noticed the amount of bunt base hits and lack of a BA when not bunting.  So, I guess he still is who we thought he was?

Yep, I believe so.

But good for him for being able to figure out a way to make a difference. 

[BRobinsonfan]

1 hour ago, Sports Guy said:

It is funny how you can grow to appreciate the little things about the game when those little things are essentially non existent in the sport..bunting, stealing a base, a starter going 6 innings, etc...

That being said, it’s a nice skill to have but when this is essentially all you can hang your hat on, that’s not good.

Yeah I was thinking this myself the other day.  In the past I haven't been a fan of the bunt because of sabermetrics. Bill James once said "the bunt was usually a waste of time" plus Earl Weaver never thought much of it either.  But I have to admit when you don't see it that often it's kind of exciting to see it being employed more often.  

Here's an interesting article from 2018 that suggests the bunt could be making a comeback because its an effective strategy against the shift.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2018/07/10/analytics-killed-the-bunt-now-a-new-data-driven-strategy-could-bring-it-back-to-life/

 

[Aristotelian]

23 minutes ago, BRobinsonfan said:

Yeah I was thinking this myself the other day.  In the past I haven't been a fan of the bunt because of sabermetrics. Bill James once said "the bunt was usually a waste of time" plus Earl Weaver never thought much of it either.  But I have to admit when you don't see it that often it's kind of exciting to see it being employed more often.  

Here's an interesting article from 2018 that suggests the bunt could be making a comeback because its an effective strategy against the shift.  https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/fancy-stats/wp/2018/07/10/analytics-killed-the-bunt-now-a-new-data-driven-strategy-could-bring-it-back-to-life/

 

Most of the critiques of bunting are referring to sacrificing when you give up an automatic out. If it is a high percentage way of getting on base I think that changes things. For most guys it's not but Mullins appears to have the skill set to do it effectively.