One player who symbolizes the Orioles’ transformation

Anthony Santander isn’t the Orioles’ best player—that title belongs to Gunnar Henderson. Nor is he their leader—that’s Adley Rutschman’s role.

But that doesn't diminish his importance to the team.

Santander embodies something deeper, a connection to the franchise that no one else on the roster can claim. He’s been a constant presence through Baltimore’s darkest days, weathering back-to-back 100-loss seasons in 2018-19, and now he’s thriving as the Orioles emerge as perennial contenders.

Santander’s journey with the Orioles has been one of steady contribution and resilience. He wasn’t a headline grabber when Baltimore snagged him in the 2016 Rule 5 Draft . A little-known prospect from Venezuela, he wasn’t expected to become a cornerstone of the franchise. Yet, through consistency and determination, Santander has made his mark.

In 2019, as Baltimore embarked on a grueling rebuild, Santander hinted at his potential by hitting 20 home runs and posting a .773 OPS in just 93 games. It was a glimpse of what he could bring to a team in transition.

Fast forward to 2022, and Santander continued solidifying his role, delivering a 2.3 bWAR season, which he followed with a 3.0 bWAR in 2023. In 2024, his first season as an All-Star, he’s posted a 2.6 bWAR, a testament to his growing impact.

Santander may not be a defensive wizard, but his bat has provided the spark the Orioles need at crucial moments. On Friday night against the Houston Astros, down 5-2 in the eighth inning, Santander electrified Camden Yards with a go-ahead grand slam.

The blast, a 403-foot shot off a 98.5 mph fastball from Bryan Abreu, was no ordinary home run. Statcast measured the pitch at 3.9 feet off the ground, making it the ninth-highest pitch hit for a home run in MLB this season and the highest by an Oriole.

Santander’s ability to deliver in the clutch is no fluke. According to Baseball Savant, he ranks in the 83rd percentile of barrel percentage, a reflection of his knack for making hard contact. His grand slam also marked a historic momen t for the Orioles—he became the first Oriole to hit a go-ahead grand slam with the team trailing by three in the eighth inning or later since 2010.

Manager Brandon Hyde, who has watched Santander grow from a Rule 5 gamble to a key contributor, summed up the moment perfectly.

“I haven’t seen our team react like that in a long time," Hyde said, via Jake Rill of mlb.com. "It was just a big exhale, it seemed like, in our dugout. Everybody was just so excited. The stadium, that was as loud as it’s been this year, I think.”

Santander’s journey from obscurity to becoming a symbol of the Orioles’ transformation is one of perseverance and quiet confidence. He may never be the face of the franchise, but his impact is undeniable. As Baltimore continues its rise, Santander’s steady presence and timely heroics remain essential to the team’s success.