WATCH: Orioles' Star Rutschman Homers on First Opening Day
Baltimore Orioles star Adley Rutschman homered in his first career Opening Day at-bat, taking Red Sox pitcher Corey Kluber deep at Fenway Park.
Kluber got behind in the count, 2-0, and Rutschman made him pay, taking a fastball that was up and in out to right. It landed just over the short wall in right field and traveled 402 feet.
Rutschman is one of the most exciting young players in the game, having been drafted No. 1 overall in the 2019 draft.
He finished second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting last year, only behind Julio Rodriguez of the Mariners.
Rutschman hit .254 last year in 113 games for the Orioles. He pounded 13 homers and hit 35 doubles. This was his first career Opening Day plate appearance, I'd say it was a memorable one.
The Orioles won a surprising 83 games last season and are looking to improve this year inside a really tough AL East. If they are to do that, Rutschman and fellow young star Gunnar Henderson will need to help carry an offense that also features power-hitting Anthony Santander and all-star Cedric Mullins.
At the time of this posting, the Orioles and Red Sox are tied 1-1 in the bottom of the second inning.
