Mullins on FanFest, his debut and staying humble

Should we read anything into a FanFest autograph lineup that places Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins between first baseman Chris Davis and infielder Jonathan Villar at Station 1?

Does this lend further credence to the notion that Mullins will sit atop another lineup, the one introduced on opening day?

This could be a reach considering that Davis also is joined at Station 2 by minor league infielder Ryan Mountcastle and pitcher Yefry Ramírez. Mountcastle won't make the club out of spring training barring something unforeseen. But Mullins already made his major league debut in August and is projected to start in center field.

He should be able to blend with Davis and Villar at the Baltimore Convention Center.

"That's awesome to be able to be sitting next to those guys," Mullins said during Thursday's "Hot Stove Show" on 105.7 The Fan. "A lot of character coming out of them. We're going to have a great time out there."

Mullins' first at-bat with the Orioles, not counting his appearances in spring training games, came on Aug. 10 against the Red Sox at Camden Yards. He supplanted Adam Jones in center, with the team captain sliding over to right, and produced an RBI double off Nathan Eovaldi in the second inning in a 19-12 loss.

"Because of all the nerves that were going on in my body, just the atmosphere with the fans and everything going on, that ball felt like it came in 50 mph, and just seeing it that well I was able to put a good swing on it and it resulted in an RBI double," Mullins said.

"Having my family - my brother and sister and all of them out there - it was an awesome experience."

Mullins' much-anticipated debut resulted in a 3-for-4 night with a walk, two RBIs and three runs scored. And he has the video to prove it.

"It was awesome," Mullins said, "and after the game I did give credit to my dad for actually following through with the video he took. He's usually very bad at stuff like that.

"I remember him videotaping me playing while I was in t-ball and he couldn't even follow where I was running at the time, and I was probably running toward third base. I had to give him credit for that."

It always seems to come back to family and Mullins' upbringing, which enables him to balance confidence with a humble, respectful nature. He shows that he belongs, but without agitating the veterans or coaches.

Jones made the position switch much easier for Mullins, but the rookie also earned praise for the way he handled a delicate situation.

"I have to give credit to my parents, as well," Mullins said. "Just being raised in a humble household and just my personality naturally is, I'm the type of guy who just kind of sits back and observes everything that's going on. And having the confidence knowing that I can play this game at the highest level. It just all blends in and works out for me."

Mullins will interrupt his offseason workouts for Saturday's FanFest, where he'll also sign autographs with pitchers Miguel Castro and Tanner Scott at Station 3. His earlier session will be held immediately after a group that includes Brooks Robinson, who attended the press conference in September when Mullins received the organization's Minor League Player of the Year award named for the Hall of Famer.

Robinson sat in the front row inside the auxiliary clubhouse, just as he did for manager Brandon Hyde's press conference.

"That was awesome, to finally meet the legend himself and just get an idea what goes on in his head and how he approaches just everyday life," Mullins said. "It's obvious to tell being around him for the short time I had. This is a guy who I can easily see having one of the best careers in the game."