“If we’re looking at dangerous teams, Baltimore is squarely at the top” - Former MLB player highlights Orioles’ versatile and dominant young force

Between 2018 and 2021, no MLB team lost more games than the Baltimore Orioles. A dark period for the organization indeed, at least the club was able to focus on developing the next generation during those years of questionning.

Now 67-46, the O's are currently tied with the New York Yankees for the top spot in the AL East, after winning the division by a commanding margin last season. Now the team with the most home runs in baseball, an MLB analyst recently took a moment to further highlight how good this team really is.

"Bird is the word in the American League. #Orioles | #Birdland" - MLB Network Radio on Xirius XM

While analyst Chris Gimenez was sure to mention the fact that the O's have hit and pitched exceptionally well, he also focused on some intangibles. According to Gimenez, the youth of the team is especially beneficial, adding "when you get a young team, who starts to believe in themselves, that's when things get dangerous." Gimenez went on to say:

“If we’re looking at dangerous teams, Baltimore is squarely at the top”

Gimenez' comments come after the O's rallied to post two straight victories against the Cleveland Guardians to record the series split. With an average age of 26.1, Cleveland is the youngest team in MLB. Third are the O's, with an average age of 27.0.

The youthful talent is truly what sets Baltimore apart. Going into the All-Star break, shortstop Gunnar Henderson had 27 homers - the most ever hit by a shortstop at that point of the season. In addition to having 29 home runs and 61 RBIs on the season, Henderson leads MLB in slugging percentage on breaking pitches.

"Gunnar Henderson is back. Heating up. THIS IS THE ENERGY WE HAVE BEEN MISSING FROM HIM. #BirdLand" - Alex Gardner

Youth of Baltimore Orioles was on full display Sunday

In addition to a homer from Henderson and a pair of RBIs from Adley Rutschman, it was Jackson Holliday who also contributed on Sunday. The 2022 first overall pick Jackson Holliday pumped his second career home run against Cleveland. With the O's youth on full display, manager Brandon Hyde told SI:

"They're really talented guys, so we hope the talent can rise up. This is a really, really tough game to play, especially at this level, especially this time of year with the pressure and everything that goes along with it.

Though the Baltimore Orioles have excelled in the regular season, the playoffs remain uncharted territory. Watch out for the youthful array of O's sluggers to learn some important lessons this fall.