The Orioles are in the midst of one of the most disappointing seasons in club history, but Ryan O’Hearn has remained a bright spot.
And now he’ll be going to the Midsummer Classic for the first time in a major league career that was teetering just a few years ago.
Edging Ben Rice of the New York Yankees in the finalist fan vote, O’Hearn will be the American League’s starting designated hitter in the All-Star Game in Atlanta on July 15. He becomes the second Baltimore player to be the starting DH for the AL, joining Nelson Cruz in 2014.
The 31-year-old O’Hearn’s rise to prominence is a terrific story as someone who was acquired from Kansas City — where he struggled over five seasons — for cash three winters ago and was then designated for assignment and sent to the minors before eventually getting his opportunity with the Orioles early in the 2023 season. He’s been a steady contributor ever since with 40 home runs, 53 doubles, and a .280/.342/.455 slash line in 1,144 plate appearances over the last three seasons.
O’Hearn entered Wednesday batting a career-high .295 with 11 homers, 30 RBIs, and an .854 on-base plus slugging percentage in 282 plate appearances this season. He ranks sixth in the AL in on-base percentage (.383) and ninth in OPS. The lefty slugger has reached base in 64 of his 72 games this season and has really improved his plate discipline since joining the Orioles as he’s collected 77 walks compared to 115 strikeouts since the start of 2024.
While O’Hearn received the starting All-Star nod from fans, Jackson Holliday was edged out by Detroit’s Gleyber Torres for the AL’s starting second baseman spot. The 21-year-old Holliday has taken an encouraging step forward in his first full season in the majors, but Torres had superior numbers and was the more deserving candidate. Holliday entered Wednesday batting .255 with 10 homers, 33 RBIs, 12 doubles, two triples, nine stolen bases, and a .712 OPS.
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Cano recalled, Akin goes to 15-day IL
Prior to Wednesday’s series finale in Texas, lefty reliever Keegan Akin became the 24th Orioles player to hit the injured list at some point this season as he’s dealing with left shoulder inflammation.
Akin owns a 3.32 ERA in 38 innings this season, and manager Tony Mansolino told reporters in Texas that the 30-year-old isn’t expected to be sidelined for much more than the 15-day minimum.
Baltimore recalled right-hander and 2023 All-Star reliever Yennier Cano from Triple-A Norfolk to take his place on the 26-man roster. Cano has pitched to a 4.73 ERA in 26 2/3 innings this season.
The Orioles also selected the contract of right-hander Corbin Martin from Norfolk and designated right-hander Matt Bowman for assignment.
