Former Orioles outfielder Ken Singleton says it makes sense for Baltimore to explore an extension with current outfielder Cedric Mullins because of his power-and-speed combination … and Singleton can’t help but be reminded of a former teammate when he watches Mullins.
Mullins, 28, broke out in 2021 after ditching switch-hitting and becoming a full-time left-handed hitter. The 5-foot-9, 175-pound center fielder hit .291/.360/.518 with 30 home runs and 30 stolen bases, becoming the first Oriole to ever join the 30-30 club.
Mullins took a step back last year, hitting .258/.318/.403 with 16 home runs, but he still managed 52 extra-base hits and 34 steals. This year, Mullins is back in 2021 form. He is hitting .275/.359/.505 with 23 extra-base hits and 13 steals in 208 plate appearances entering play May 26.
Singleton, who played for the Orioles from 1975-1984, has enjoyed watching Mullins this year.
“Maybe the 30 home runs is not quite reachable [this year], but the 30 stolen bases, definitely,” Singleton said on Glenn Clark Radio May 24. “He might steal 60 this year. That’s the way the game is set up now. They want more action on the bases. They’ve opened up the infield for base hits now, for singles, which helps him. Maybe he doesn’t have to concentrate on hitting as many home runs. He’s got guys behind him who can hit them.”
Mullins is earning $4.1 million in his first year of arbitration and is scheduled to hit free agency following the 2025 season. An extension for Mullins could run into nine-figure territory. One comparable player might be Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Bryan Reynolds, who recently signed an eight-year, $106.75 million extension.
Reynolds, 28, was set to hit free agency following the 2025 season as well. He is a career .281/.358/.481 hitter across five major league seasons, giving him a longer track record of hitting than Mullins. But Reynolds plays left field, giving him less positional value than Mullins.
Singleton understands why it makes sense to explore an extension with Mullins.
“His job basically is get on base and then move himself into scoring position if he can, which he’s very good at,” Singleton said. “I think if you value a player like that with that type of money, somebody at the top of the order who has a little pop, too — he could hit 15 to 20 home runs — that wouldn’t surprise me at all.”
Singleton says Mullins reminds him of former Orioles center fielder Al Bumbry, who played for Baltimore from 1972-1984. Bumbry was a career .281/.343/.378 hitter, and much like Mullins was considered a rangy center fielder without much of a throwing arm.
Singleton and Bumbry are now golfing buddies and recently reminisced about their days patrolling the outfield at Memorial Stadium.
“I played right and Al played center,” Singleton said. “We discussed each spring training, he said, ‘Singy, if there’s a fly ball in between the two of us and somebody’s trying to tag up and score, you get it because you’ve got a better arm.’ And I said, ‘If there’s a ball in the gap that we both have to run down, you get it because you’ve got more speed.’ You’ve got to talk out there.”
Mullins and corner outfielders Austin Hays and Anthony Santander have played together for years now. Singleton likes what he sees out of that group.
“I think with Mullins and Hays and Santander — I think he’s better than people think in the outfield — and whoever else the Orioles want to put out there, they’ve got good outfield defense,” Singleton said.
For more from Singleton, listen to the full interview here:
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