Before even stepping to the plate on Saturday, catcher Adley Rutschman made unique Baltimore Orioles history after being penciled in at the leadoff spot in the batting order.
If you think a catcher batting leadoff is unusual, it’s true. According to Sarah Langs of ESPN, Rutschman is only the fifth catcher to bat in the No. 1 spot over the 121-year history of the Orioles/St. Louis Browns franchise. Rutschman joins Chance Sisco (2020), Floyd Rayford (1984), Curt Blefary (1968) and Clint Courtney (1953).
In only his second Major League season, Rutschman has impressed, but it’s hard to imagine anyone thought he’d be batting leadoff, at any point, for the O’s.
However, manager Brandon Hyde told reporters before the Orioles’ contest with the New York Yankees that he’d been thinking of batting Rutschman at one, primarily due to his high on-base percentage (.368).
The 2023 campaign has been one to remember for Rutschman, who earned his first All-Star nod earlier in the year. The 25-year-old’s numbers place him among the best offensive catchers in the league, as Rutschman ranks first among backstops in hits (100), fifth in RBI (46) and seventh in home runs (14). Entering Saturday’s action, Rutschman was slashing .268/.368/.426 while carrying a modest four-game hitting streak.
The former No. 1 overall pick is one of several breakout youngsters on the Orioles, including American League Rookie of the Year candidate Gunnar Henderson.
With Rutschman, Henderson and others in tow, the Orioles are the surprising front-runner atop the AL East (63-40), leading the Tampa Bay Rays (63-43) by 1.5 games.
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