Trey Mancini

Trey Mancini
Mancini with the Baltimore Orioles in 2017
Free agent
First baseman / Outfielder / Designated hitter
Born: (1992-03-18) March 18, 1992 (age 32)
Winter Haven, Florida, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 20, 2016, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics
(through 2023 season)
Batting average.263
Home runs129
Runs batted in400
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Joseph Anthony "Trey" Mancini III[1] (born March 18, 1992) is an American professional baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, and Chicago Cubs. His nickname "Boomer", originally "Boom Boom" after Ray Mancini, morphed into its current form when he enrolled at the University of Notre Dame.[2] The Orioles selected Mancini in the eighth round of the 2013 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Orioles.

Mancini was diagnosed with colon cancer in early 2020, consequently missing the entire shortened season. Upon his recovery, Mancini returned to baseball in 2021 and was subsequently awarded the AL Comeback Player of the Year. In 2022, he was traded midseason to the Astros, with whom he won the 2022 World Series.

Career

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Amateur and minor league career

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Mancini attended Winter Haven High School in Winter Haven, Florida,[3] where he batted .480 with six home runs as a senior.[4] After high school, he attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played college baseball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and pursued a degree in political science. He played collegiate summer baseball for the Holyoke Blue Sox of the New England Collegiate Baseball League in 2011,[5] and the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2012.[6][7] In 2013, his junior year at Notre Dame, he slashed .389/.431/.603 with seven home runs and 54 runs batted in (RBIs) in 57 games.

The Orioles selected Mancini in the eighth round of the 2013 MLB draft. He signed, and made his professional debut with the Aberdeen IronBirds of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League that same year.[5] He spent the whole season with Aberdeen, batting .328 with three home runs and 35 RBIs in 68 games. He began the 2014 season with the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Class A South Atlantic League and received a midseason promotion to the Frederick Keys of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League.[8] In 137 games between the two teams, he compiled a .284 batting average with ten home runs and 83 RBIs. He began the 2015 season with Frederick,[9][10] and was promoted during the season to the Bowie Baysox of the Class AA Eastern League.[11][12] In 136 games, Mancini slashed .341/.375/.563 with 21 home runs, 89 RBIs, and 43 doubles.

After spending some time in Baltimore during spring training,[13] Mancini returned to Bowie to start the 2016 season.[14] He was blocked at Triple A by Joey Terdoslavich, but was promoted to the Triple-A Norfolk Tides in April 2016 as Terdoslavich struggled.[15][16] He spent the remainder of the season at Norfolk, batting .280 with 13 home runs and 54 RBIs in 125 games.[17]

Baltimore Orioles (2016–2022)

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The Orioles promoted Mancini to the major leagues on September 18, 2016, during September call-ups.[18] On September 20, in his major league debut as the designated hitter against the Boston Red Sox, he hit a home run against Eduardo Rodríguez in his second at bat. His parents were in attendance to watch this, his first MLB homerun. The homerun made Mancini the fourth Orioles' player to hit a home run for their first Major League hit after Larry Haney (1966), Nick Markakis (2006) and Jonathan Schoop (2013).[19] Mancini started again two nights later and hit his second career home run, a three-run homer off David Price. He became the 20th player in major league history to hit a home run in his first two starts. He became the third player in major league history to homer in their first three starts, after he hit a solo home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks on September 24.[citation needed]

Mancini in 2017

Mancini made the Orioles' 2017 Opening Day roster after transitioning to the outfield. On April 16, Mancini recorded his second multi-home run game of the season, while driving in four runs. He tied Trevor Story and Dino Restelli for most home runs through a player's first 12 career games with seven.[20] On April 22, Mancini hit his fifth home run of the season and eighth of his career. He tied Story and Carlos Delgado for most home runs through a player's first 17 career games.[citation needed] On June 7, in a game against the Pirates, Mancini hit a game-tying, pinch-hit two-run home run in the ninth inning off closer Tony Watson. Two innings later, with two on and two outs, Mancini hit a walk-off three-run home run off Wade LeBlanc to give the Orioles a 9–6 victory. Per STATS LLC, Mancini became the first Oriole to hit a pinch-hit homer in the 9th inning or later and then hit another home run in the same game. He also became the second Oriole ever to hit a game-tying home run in the 9th inning or later and then hit a walk-off homer in the same game (Mike Young on May 28, 1987). He also joined Boog Powell ('66) and Eddie Murray ('80) as the only three Orioles to homer in the 9th inning and in extras in the same game. Mancini finished the season batting .293/.338/.488 with a .826 OPS, 120 OPS+, 24 home runs and 78 RBI in 147 games during his rookie campaign. He also collected 159 hits on his way to finishing in third place for American League Rookie of the Year voting.

Mancini batted leadoff for 51 of 156 games played in 2018. He ended the season hitting .242 with 24 home runs and 58 RBIs.[citation needed] Mancini was leading the Orioles in most offensive categories in late-April.[21] He is one of three MLB players along with Alex Bregman and Anthony Rendon with at least 35 doubles, 34 home runs and 100 runs in 2019.[22] He set a career high with five hits in an 11–4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on September 24, 2019.[23] He ended the season hitting .291 with 35 home runs and 97 RBIs.[citation needed] Mancini was awarded the 2019 Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award by members of the local media.[24]

On March 7, 2020, Mancini left the Orioles during spring training to undergo a non-baseball medical procedure.[25] On March 12, it was revealed that the procedure was the removal of a malignant tumor from his colon.[26] On April 28, Mancini revealed he had stage 3 colon cancer and began chemotherapy to treat his cancer.[27] He subsequently missed the entire 2020 season. On June 28, 2020, Mancini was placed on the 60-day injured list and missed the entire 2020 season due to recovery from Stage 3 colon cancer surgery. He completed chemotherapy in November 2020.

In November 2020, Mancini announced that he was cancer-free and planned to play for the Orioles in 2021.[28] Mancini returned to the Orioles at the beginning of spring training and appeared in the team's first game of the preseason, against the Pittsburgh Pirates.[29] Mancini was given a standing ovation by the Orioles crowd prior to his first at-bat of the season in Baltimore.[30] Mancini finished the 2021 season batting .255/.326/.432 with 21 home runs and 71 RBIs in 147 games. On November 22, 2021, Mancini was awarded the American League (AL) Comeback Player of the Year Award.[31]

On July 28, 2022, Mancini hit an inside-the-park home run with a runner on base that started as what appeared to be a routine sacrifice fly. However, the ball deflected off the cheek of Tampa Bay right fielder Josh Lowe after he lost it in the afternoon sun and hit him in the face, allowing Mancini to score. It was a very memorable at bat for Orioles fans due to the park’s commemoration of Mo Gaba, Baltimore’s #1 sports fan who passed on the same day in 2020. Trey commented about Mo playing around in the clouds so that he could score.[32]

Houston Astros (2022)

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The Orioles traded Mancini to the Houston Astros in a three-team trade on August 1, 2022, in which the Orioles acquired Seth Johnson from the Tampa Bay Rays and Chayce McDermott from Houston, the Rays acquired José Siri from Houston, and the Astros also acquired Jayden Murray from the Rays.[33] Mancini hit a home run for his first hit as an Astro on August 3 to help lead a 6–1 win versus the Boston Red Sox.[34] On August 5, Mancini hit his first career grand slam against Hunter Gaddis of the Cleveland Guardians as part of a two-homer, 5 RBI day.[35][36] He homered on August 18 on the way to a 21–5 win over the Chicago White Sox that included 25 hits, tied for both the second-highest scoring output and most hits in team history.[37] The Astros defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4–0 on September 19 to clinch the AL West division title, which made Mancini a division title winner for the first time in his career.[38] With Houston in 2022 he batted .176/.258/.364.

In the 2022 regular season, between the two teams he batted .239/.319/.391 in 519 at bats, with 18 home runs and 63 RBIs.[39] He split time between 71 games at DH, 39 at first base, 20 in left field, and 11 in right field.[39]

In Game 5 of the World Series, Mancini pinch-hit for and defensively replaced an injured Yuli Gurriel in the eighth inning, his first time playing defense since October 5th. He would end up making a game-saving play, snagging a hard-hit ball by Kyle Schwarber to get the Astros out of a jam and preserve their 3–2 lead. The Astros defeated the Philadelphia Phillies the following game for their fourth win in the best-of-seven series to give Mancini his first career World Series title.[40]

The Astros declined Mancini's option for 2023, thereby making him a free agent.[41]

Chicago Cubs (2023)

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Mancini signed a two-year contract worth $14 million with the Chicago Cubs on January 20, 2023.[42] Before the signing, he had agreed to play for the Italy national baseball team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic, However after signing he withdrew from the WBC. [43] He batted .234 with four home runs and 28 RBI in 79 games for the Cubs before he was designated for assignment on August 1.[44] Mancini was officially released by the Cubs the next day.[45]

Cincinnati Reds (2023)

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On August 23, 2023, Mancini signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds organization.[46] Mancini hit .316 with 2 home runs in five games with the Triple–A Louisville Bats before he was released on August 30.[47]

Miami Marlins

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On January 24, 2024, Mancini signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins.[48] On March 23, he opted out of his contract and became a free agent.[49]

Personal life

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Mancini is of Italian and Irish descent. Mancini's great-grandfather, Antonio Mancini, founded Mancini Foods, a cannery that distributes peppers, onions and hot sauce, in 1922 in New Britain, Connecticut. Mancini's uncle, Rick Mancini, now runs the Florida-based company.[50]

Mancini first met Sara Perlman in 2017, when she worked for MASN, covering the Baltimore Orioles and Washington Nationals. The couple began dating after Perlman left MASN for NBC Sports, as host of The Daily Line.[51][52] The couple became engaged in November 2021, [53] and married in December 2022.

References

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  1. ^ "Trey Mancini - All Me League". allmeleague.com. Major League Baseball.
  2. ^ Trezza, Joe. "The evolution of Mancini's moniker, 'Boomer,'" MLB.com, Tuesday, August 6, 2019. Retrieved August 6, 2019
  3. ^ "Winter Haven Grad Growing Fast in O's Farm System". TheLedger.com. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  4. ^ "Player Profiles".
  5. ^ a b "Former Holyoke Blue Sox player Trey Mancini faring well in Orioles farm system". masslive.com. August 24, 2013. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  6. ^ "Trey Mancini". pointstreak.com. Retrieved August 12, 2021.
  7. ^ "Trey Mancini - Stats - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com.
  8. ^ Ferraro, Joe (April 5, 2015). "Highly touted Cisco to start with Keys". Frederick News Post. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  9. ^ "Making Strides: Mancini Looks to Continue Progress in Frederick". The Ledger. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  10. ^ "Baltimore Orioles prospect Trey Mancini records third three-hit game of the week for Frederick Keys". MiLB.com. Retrieved July 24, 2015.
  11. ^ Meoli, Jon (June 6, 2015). "Orioles minor league report: Keys' Trey Mancini hits his way up to Bowie". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  12. ^ Melewski, Steve (September 9, 2015). "Bowie playoff preview: Trey Mancini leads the Baysox against Altoona (updated)". MASN. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  13. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (February 8, 2016). "Orioles announce nonroster invitees to spring training". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  14. ^ Kubatko, Roch (April 16, 2016). "Mancini Waits For His Turn". Baseball America. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  15. ^ Hall, David (April 25, 2016). "At last, hot-hitting Mancini reaches Norfolk". Virginian Pilot. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  16. ^ Meoli, Jon (April 25, 2016). "Orioles first base prospect Trey Mancini earns promotion to Triple-A Norfolk". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
  17. ^ "Trey Mancini Stats, Highlights, Bio - MiLB.com Stats - The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". MiLB.com. Retrieved June 1, 2018.
  18. ^ Meoli, Jon. "Orioles notes: Trey Mancini earns first major league call; O'Day activated; Pearce done for season".
  19. ^ Encina, Eduardo A. "Orioles' Trey Mancini homers in his major league debut".
  20. ^ "Mancini ties MLB rookie home run record". MLB.com.
  21. ^ Young, Tyler (April 15, 2019). "Is the new Trey Mancini here to stay?". Camden Chat. Retrieved April 15, 2019.
  22. ^ Melewski, Steve. "Trey Mancini 'honored' and 'proud' to be named MVO," Mid-Atlantic Sports Network (MASN), Friday, September 20, 2019. Retrieved September 20, 2019
  23. ^ Trezza, Joe. "Bundy reliable over 7, gives bullpen arms rest," MLB.com, Wednesday, September 25, 2019. Retrieved September 25, 2019
  24. ^ "Orioles infielder/outfielder Trey Mancini named 2019 Most Valuable Oriole - MLB.com". MLB.com. September 20, 2019. Retrieved August 30, 2022.
  25. ^ Anderson, RJ. "Orioles' Trey Mancini leaves team, will miss time due to non-baseball medical procedure". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "Orioles' Trey Mancini has malignant tumor removed from colon". ESPN. March 12, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  27. ^ Langs, Sarah (April 28, 2020). "Mancini being treated for Stage 3 colon cancer". MLB. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  28. ^ Acquavella, Katherine (November 20, 2020). "Orioles' Trey Mancini is cancer-free and plans to play in 2021 MLB season". CBS Sports. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  29. ^ "Baltimore Orioles' Trey Mancini gets standing ovation, singles in return from cancer". ESPN. February 28, 2021. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  30. ^ Trezza, Joe (April 8, 2021). "Trey Mancini gets standing ovation in Orioles' home opener". MLB.com. Retrieved April 30, 2021.
  31. ^ "Trey Mancini named American League Comeback Player of Year". www.mlb.com. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  32. ^ Snyder, Matt (July 28, 2022). "Orioles' Trey Mancini hits inside-the-park home run off right fielder's face". CBSSports.com. Retrieved August 7, 2022.
  33. ^ Silver, Zachary (August 1, 2022). "Astros acquire Mancini from O's in 3-team trade". MLB.com. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
  34. ^ "Trey Mancini homers in first start with Astros since trade". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 3, 2022. Retrieved August 3, 2022.
  35. ^ "Mancini hits 2 HRs, Astros roll past Guardians 9–3". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 5, 2022. Retrieved August 6, 2022.
  36. ^ "Trey Mancini hits two home runs, including first career grand slam, to lead Astros victory: 'I finally got one'". baltimoresun.com. August 6, 2022. Retrieved May 25, 2023.
  37. ^ "Bregman 2 HRs, 2 doubles, 6 RBIs, Astros trample Chisox 21–5". ESPN.com. Associated Press. August 18, 2022. Retrieved August 18, 2022.
  38. ^ Lerner, Danielle (September 19, 2022). "Astros wrap up 5th AL West title in last 6 years". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved September 19, 2022.
  39. ^ a b "Trey Mancini Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com.
  40. ^ Rome, Chandler (November 5, 2022). "Undisputed: 'It proves we're the best team in baseball ... They have nothing to say now.'". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  41. ^ Rome, Chandler (November 9, 2022). "Trey Mancini and Will Smith, a pair of trade deadline acquisitions for Astros, become free agents". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  42. ^ "Cubs agree to terms with 1B/OF/DH Trey Mancini on a two-year Major League contract". Major League Baseball. January 20, 2023. Archived from the original on January 20, 2023.
  43. ^ Van Doren, Kenny (September 1, 2022). "Houston Astros' Mancini to Play for Team Italy in World Baseball Classic". FanNation. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  44. ^ "Cubs DFA Trey Mancini to make room for Jeimer Candelario". ESPN.com. August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 2, 2023.
  45. ^ "Cubs officially release Trey Mancini after designating him for assignment". sports.yahoo.com. August 3, 2023. Retrieved August 4, 2023.
  46. ^ "Reds Sign Recent-Old Friend Trey Mancini to a Minor League Deal - Bleacher Nation". August 23, 2023. Retrieved August 24, 2023.
  47. ^ "Trey Mancini: Let go by Cincinnati". CBSSports.com. August 30, 2023. Retrieved August 30, 2023.
  48. ^ "Marlins Sign Trey Mancini". January 24, 2024.
  49. ^ "Trey Mancini Opts Out of Marlins Contract; Curt Casali Won't Make Roster". March 23, 2024.
  50. ^ Trezza, Joe (March 6, 2020). "35-HR bat or pepper magnate? Why not both?". MLB.com. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  51. ^ Van Walkenburg, Kevin (July 12, 2021). "Trey Mancini's remarkable return". ESPN. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  52. ^ Allen, Scott (March 3, 2021). "Sara Perlman joins NBC Sports after whirlwind year with boyfriend, cancer survivor Trey Mancini". Washington Post. Retrieved July 13, 2021.
  53. ^ Glasspiegel, Ryan (November 3, 2021). "Orioles' Trey Mancini engaged to TV host Sara Perlman". New York Post. Retrieved April 27, 2022.
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