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Orioles’ Trey Mancini ties MLB record for most home runs to begin career

By Joshua Sadlock

Apr 12, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini (16) hits a three run home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 12, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Baltimore Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini (16) hits a three run home run during the first inning against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports /
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Rookie Trey Mancini of the Baltimore Orioles has tied an MLB record with seven home runs in his first 12 career games.

Trey Mancini went to Orioles Spring Training without a guaranteed spot on the 25-man roster. A first baseman by trade, Mancini picked up an outfield mitt, sprayed the ball all over the Grapefruit League, and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. He has not stopped hitting, and already has four home runs and nine RBIs on the year.

With his three homers in five games last September, Mancini has tied an MLB record for most home runs in his first 12 MLB games.

Mancini was an eighth-round pick out of Notre Dame in 2013 and was viewed as a first baseman with limited defensive potential and the ability to hit for power, but not average. With Chris Davis locked into a long-term contract at first base, Mancini’s path to the big leagues was heavily blocked. He hit at every level of the minor leagues, including a .359/.395/.586 line at Double-A in 2015. Working with Orioles legend and current executive Brady Anderson helped Mancini tap into the power in his 6-foot-4 frame, and the results have carried over to the MLB level.

Sunday’s game was Mancini’s second of the week with two home runs. He has been so hot at the plate this season that teammates Craig Gentry and Manny Machado, who have both been slumping to start the year, took his bat to the plate as the Orioles routed the Toronto Blue Jays 11-4. Of course, both Gentry and Machado homered.

Mancini might not have an established spot in the power-laden Baltimore lineup, but he is the hottest hitter on the team right now. Buck Showalter will continue finding ways to get him into the lineup. The national talent evaluators were never high on Mancini in the minor leagues, but the Orioles always spoke highly of him. Now we know why.

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