Baltimore Orioles manager Brandon Hyde was the leader of perhaps MLB’s most surprising team.
The O’s won 83 games in 2022: nobody expected them to complete such an impressive turnaround considering they had won just 52 in 2021.
It was a collective effort, and Hyde was there to lead it from the dugout.
For his efforts, he was named as the Manager of the Year in the American League by The Sporting News.
𝐒𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐀𝐋 𝐌𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫
Brandon Hyde, @Orioles
Hyde becomes the seventh Orioles manager to win the award. pic.twitter.com/aG9NADCxJu
— Sporting News MLB (@sn_mlb) October 27, 2022
Behind Hyde, the Orioles actually fought for a spot in the postseason, something that hadn’t happened since 2016.
Hyde Was Crucial On A Team Full Of Young Talent
His impact on a team full of youngsters was huge, as he was in charge of maximizing a talented, but flawed roster.
Even in the trade deadline and with a positive record, the Orioles were selling: they traded established stars Trey Mancini and Jorge Lopez.
However, near the end of the season, they signaled their intention to compete and actually did it: they just fell short.
With the help of Hyde and a very underrated analytics and player development staff, the Orioles developed several young contributors this year, such as Adley Rutschman, Dillon Tate, Ryan Mountcastle, Gunnar Henderson, Felix Bautista, Austin Hays, Spenser Watkins, Dean Kremer, Keegan Akin, and more.
More help is on the way, too, as pitchers Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall could have prominent roles in 2023.
Hyde was there for the rough times: now, as the Orioles look like a young up-and-coming team, he deserves to be around for the good times, too.
NEXT: The Orioles Are Staying The Course In 2023