Anthony Santander reiterates he'd like to stay an Oriole, thanks fans for support

TORONTO - As he keeps mashing homers – he’s now hit a career-high 34 with a lot of games to play – O’s outfielder Anthony Santander is sure having a great “walk year.”

That is the year that leads into a player becoming a free agent and Santander can be that at the end of this season for the first time. Not a bad time to be putting up big numbers and making great plays on defense.

Once again today he expressed that he wants to remain an Oriole beyond 2024 but also acknowledges “that is out of my hands.”

Last night Santander hit two more homers and made a great catch to rob Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of extra bases and preserve what was at the time a one-run lead. The O’s beat Toronto 7-3 and Santander was a big reason for that.

He is now batting .248/.311/.540/.851. His 34 homers are second in the American League and tied for second the majors.

He is on pace to hit 48 and drive in 110 runs.

“I want to stay here,” Santander reiterated today in the visiting clubhouse at Rogers Centre. “This is the team that gave me the opportunity to play in the big leagues. I like where we are right now. We are a really good team. This team is about to get in a World Series soon – hopefully this year. Of course I would like to stay here for the rest of my career. But it’s out of my hands. Just get ready for today’s game and go for the win, you know. But at the same time, so happy and thank you for the fans that want me to stay here.”

In 59 games since June 1, Santander's 25 homers lead the majors. And in that time he has driven in 49 runs with an OPS of .965. Aaron Judge with 21 homers, is second to Santander. 

But the O's veteran right-fielder said he is not focusing on individual numbers right now or what might happen this winter.

“I just focus on the moment, you know," he told reporters. "Come every single day to the field and prepare my body to be able to compete. Still a lot of games. Anything can happen. That is why we can’t think what is gong to happen in the next few months. I just focus and do what I can control and it is to prepare my body to compete and go for the win."

He confirmed that he and the team have not had any in-season contract talks.

“No, not at all. Like I said, we are just focusing on helping my team win right now."

Manager Brandon Hyde said: “Some nights we’ve jumped on his back. Because he wants to win so bad. And is playing so well defensively for us and then the homers. You hear him in the dugout – really encouraging others. Just playing outstanding baseball."

Hyde added that Santander has become more and more a team leader the last few years and said he will come into Hyde's office to discuss team matters during the season. He has spoken up in the clubhouse more in that time.

More Hyde: The skipper is still waiting on further news on pitchers Grayson Rodriguez and Jacob Webb, who went on the 15-day injured list yesterday. Rodriguez with right lat/teres discomfort and Webb with right elbow inflammation. Both headed back to Baltimore for further evaluations.

"I don't have any (new information) on him or Webb yet. They are still getting evaluated. Everybody is reading the results for the next couple of days."

Right-hander Dean Kremer (4-8, 4.39 ERA) takes the ball for the Orioles tonight looking to give a rotation that just lost Rodriguez, a boost and win the series finale at Rogers Centre.

"I think his last two starts, he's throwing the ball really well," said Hyde. "If we would have played any sort of defense those starts, those are games we should win. 

"I love his stuff right now. The split has come, him just developing a split in the offseason and it's becoming such a weapon this year. Just getting a better feel for it. I love when he steps on the four-seamer and he's got the sinker, cutter, curveball that are all good pitches too. I think the command has been better, he's been more aggressive the last two starts and I'd like to see us play well behind him tonight," Hyde said. 

The Orioles now list Zach Eflin (7-7, 4.05 ERA) to start Friday's series opener at the Trop against Tampa Bay with Corbin Burnes (12-4, 2.63 ERA) going Saturday and Albert Suarez (5-4, 3.66 ERA) in Rodriguez's spot for Sunday.