BOSTON — Cedric Mullins is putting up vintage second-half numbers for the Orioles. After struggling just to get regular playing time early in the season, the center fielder has moved up to the No. 2 spot in the lineup swinging one of the hottest bats on the team.

Heading into Wednesday, Mullins was slashing .286/.410/.529 with eight home runs and 11 stolen bases in 46 games since the All-Star break. That’s nearly the pace of a 30-30 season like the one he put together for Baltimore in 2021, but Mullins has stopped trying to get back to the hitter he was that year. He’s focused instead on making the most of the kind of player he is now.

“I think the biggest part was for me to stop chasing that season,” Mullins said. “That season was awesome, but at the same time, I think the reason I’m putting up numbers that are similar to it is because I’m no longer chasing that guy. I’m just being who I am.”

The start of the season couldn’t have gone worse for Mullins. He hit .219 between March and April before cratering in May, going all month without a home run while posting a .344 OPS. Demoted to a part-time role by often being lifted for a pinch hitter against left-handers and entering games as a defensive replacement, Mullins had to earn his way back into the lineup.

He began to turn his season around in early June, bottoming out with a .170 batting average on June 9 before going on a tear against one of the toughest stretches in the Orioles’ schedule.

Facing the likes of the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Guardians, Mullins earned manager Brandon Hyde’s trust again by going 22-for-57 (.386) over his next 17 games. While he took a step back in August (.641 OPS), he’s started September on another hot streak.

“It’s been fun to watch him the last few weeks because it looks like the Cedric we saw for a couple years, the first half last year,” Hyde said. “It’s premiere defense but then offensively, when he gets on base, he can really impact us. He changes our lineup, and then he’s got the power potential like he showed last night, too. So, Ced last year, first half, was maybe our best RBI guy, so it’s in there.”

The biggest change has been Mullins’ improved patience at the plate. Since the start of the second half, his 14.7% walk rate leads the Orioles and ranks fifth in the majors among players with at least 150 plate appearances. He’s on pace for the highest second-half on-base percentage by an Orioles hitter since Nick Markakis (.411) and Melvin Mora (.417) in 2008.

Mullins’ health has been a significant factor as well. He landed on the injured list twice last season with a recurring adductor groin strain, and it lingered even after he returned and prevented him from returning to form. After missing a chunk of spring training with a sore hamstring, he’s managed to stay off the IL and on the field.

“Just able to be myself out there, firing off on all cylinders,” Mullins said. “I know when I’m able to do that, I’m able to do some great things.”

While it took over two months to get going, Mullins gave himself extra time to figure things out at the plate by remaining valuable to Baltimore with his defense. The 29-year-old never let his offensive struggles translate on the other side of the ball, stocking his decorated highlight reel with impressive plays. His latest was a diving catch to steal a hit from Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran on Monday, taking a near-perfect route to nab a line drive that Statcast estimated had a 10% catch probability.

“The ball’s in the air, I thought it was for sure in the gap,” said rookie starter Cade Povich, who was on the mound for the play. “When I saw Cedric run, I was like, ‘He might have a chance.’ Some of the plays he’s made for me and for other guys, it really wasn’t any surprise. He’s unbelievable to have in center field.”

Another 30-30 season is out of reach with only 15 games left in the season, but Mullins heads into the Orioles’ weekend series against the Detroit Tigers within three home runs and three steals of finishing 20-30. The only player to achieve the feat multiple times with the Orioles is Brady Anderson, who did so in 1992 and 1997.

“Probably a lot to do with rhythm,” Mullins said of his turnaround. “I think the rhythm at the plate is better. Confidence is definitely there. Not trying to do too much, which is leading to a lot of good results, and taking my walks along the way.”