The Baltimore Orioles have come out of the gate in 2016 like gangbusters. Predicted by many, including myself, to be in the AL East cellar, the O’s have grasped first place firmly. While their pitching is still ironing out the kinks, the offense has been humming along smoothly. Home runs are leaving the park regularly and everybody from 1-9 poses a threat to opposing pitchers. But nobody in that lineup is more feared at the moment than Manny Machado. After a tremendous 2015, it seems as if this is the season that he goes from All-Star to superstar. As the late Macho Man Randy Savage said in one of his more famous promos, the cream of the crop rises to the top. If his start to this season is any indication, nobody in the AL may do it better than Macho Manny Machado.
In the two full seasons that Manny Machado has been in the Major Leagues, he’s been a top-10 MVP candidate. A third of a season from a late call-up and a half one due to a freak injury are the only things keeping that from being a perennial occurrence. This year has the makings of a win rather than a nomination. He leads the American League in every slash category (.407 BA/.467 OBP/.796 SLG). Machado is tops in the sport in hits (22), OPS (1.263), and OPS+ (255). He has done all that at the plate while playing sparkling defense at the hot corner, error free in 2016. He even played a game at shortstop and converted all eight of his chances there as well. But it is more than just his stats that is pushing Machado up the ladder to superstardom. The reputation he is cultivating is an ultimate sign of respect.
He is the only player in the MLB to hit safely in every game thus far in 2016. With that fact in mind, teams have started to pitch to him more carefully. That is an understandable undertaking, but rare seeing how he is technically a leadoff hitter. Although only one of his walks on the season have been intentional in the “stand up and throw four pitches in the other batter’s box” sense, starters and relievers alike have taken to pitching around Machado. That is high praise with Adam Jones (four consecutive All-Star Games), Mark Trumbo (2nd in AL with .373 BA, 5 HR), and Chris Davis (5 HR, 11 RBI) waiting in the wings.
While Machado has earned respect at the plate, he also has developed a much warranted fear from hitters in the field. Defensive stats such as runs saved and defensive WAR are usually dominated by the likes of shortstops and outfielders. Along with Colorado’s Nolan Arenado, Machado has regularly infiltrated the top 10’s of both of those statistical lists. He is a base hit black hole at third. He is regarded as one of the best in the game there, and the best defensively in an Orioles uniform since Hall of Famer Brooks Robinson. Not too shabby for a lifetime shortstop entering his professional career, eh?
Now as is always the case in baseball, as in any sport, injuries can happen. But after playing a full 162 last season, Machado is looking even better this year with no signs of sluggishness. The Orioles are more than holding their own in the free spending American League East. Both the club and the player have flown way above expectations thus far, and each should have staying power. While he may not end up as the first hitter since Ted Williams to hit .400, don’t expect Manny Machado to stray that far away from it. If he keeps his production up, and the Orioles keep winning, their is a very distinct possibility that this is the year that the Macho Man becomes the Macho King of the American League in more ways than one.