CHICAGO — On Tuesday, Dylan Beavers joked to interim manager Tony Mansolino that if he didn’t help the team win that night, he would shave his head.
A triple and a home run in the Orioles’ 8-7 win over the White Sox took care of that. So on Wednesday, Beavers walked into the clubhouse for the series finale with his brown hair still intact. Then he did it again — hitting another home run as the Orioles beat the White Sox 3-1 to sweep the three-game series.
His hair still remains safely on top of his head for at least another day.
“Just a super loose, care-free, not-stressed-out mentality,” Mansolino said of Beavers. “Love it.”
Beavers hasn’t always been this way — he used to get sick to his stomach before games before learning breathing tactics to help clear his mind — but he’s shown this composure since his MLB debut a month ago. In 27 games, Beavers is hitting .277 with an .893 OPS.
His keen eye and patient approach have contributed to his success.
In the top of the fourth, when he hit his two-run home run to put the Orioles up 3-0, he swung at two strikes, then let two balls go before connecting on the sinker that he would send 398 feet into the right field bleachers. In the sixth, when Beavers walked, he swung at the one pitch in the zone and let the other four go by him.
He keeps it simple: he swings at strikes and lays off balls. It’s a basic baseball principle, but one that’s easier said than done, especially for a player who is trying to establish himself in the majors. Yet Beavers’ spot should be all but secure next season, especially if he continues to play like he has in his first month in the majors. Beavers, a corner outfielder, should make the roster alongside Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill, who holds an opt-out clause he is unlikely to use. The Orioles could seek out a true center fielder this winter, but that shouldn’t impact Beavers’ standing.
Beavers also stole a base, one of seven stolen bases for the Orioles on Wednesday, tying a franchise record.
Tyler Wells, in his third start since returning from elbow surgery, pitched six innings and allowed one run — a solo homer in the fourth — and four hits while striking out four. He’s allowed four runs in this three starts, all coming via a home run.
Keegan Akin got the save for the second game in a row.