Ryan O’Hearn is used to defying expectations by now.

The Orioles’ first baseman-outfielder arrived in Baltimore two years ago guaranteed of nothing more than a position battle and he earned his way onto the roster. O’Hearn took advantage of the opportunity and broke out with an .801 OPS after never clearing even .700 over his first five seasons. Last year, he cut his strikeout rate in half and set career highs in walks and strikeouts.

So far this season, he’s taken another step at the ripe young age of 31 and started producing like one of the best hitters in baseball.

O’Hearn enters play Thursday ranked tied for fifth among qualified MLB hitters in batting average (.338), tied for third in on-base percentage (.427) and 11th in slugging (.550). His .977 OPS to open the season is his highest over any 46-game stretch in his career, vaulting him into All-Star consideration with ballots set to be released in the next couple of weeks.

“I don’t feel any different,” O’Hearn said. “I feel like the same guy. I’ve been the same guy all year. Just kind of got hot lately and I’m going to continue to build off that, not try to do anything extra or anything less, just stay in my own lane, be the same guy every day. I don’t know exactly what the numbers are. I know they’re good.”

Since the start of 2024, only three hitters have accrued at least four wins above replacement, hit 20 or more home runs and recorded fewer than 100 strikeouts: Mookie Betts, Kyle Tucker and O’Hearn. He’s remained a force against right-handed pitching (1.015 OPS) but has more than held his own against lefties too (.799) to earn the role of an everyday player.

O’Hearn has only been lifted for a pinch hitter twice over his past 27 games and started three of the team’s four games against left-handed starters in May. With the Orioles (19-36) struggling to produce in big spots, he’s also been the rare hitter to improve his numbers with runners in scoring position, sporting a .950 OPS in those situations.

“It’s easy to pull for a guy like that when he cares about everybody in this room even more so than how he’s doing himself,” reliever Bryan Baker said. “So, selfless, team-first guy that’s shown out here for the team and coming up with his big hits when we need him to right now, and I think he’s always been a good hitter, but the way he’s kind of matured over the last few years and how complete of a hitter he is now, I think it’s very impressive.”

It’s the latest iteration of a player whom the Orioles acquired in a cash trade with the Royals ahead of the 2023 season. He was only ever a part-time player in Kansas City, which designated him for assignment before the deal. Baltimore put him on waivers as well shortly after, but he remained with the ballclub and was their cleanup hitter against left-handers by June.

O’Hearn credited mechanical changes for his breakout campaign in 2023 and last year adapted his approach to reduce his strikeout numbers. The difference this season has been a better understanding of how opponents approach him based on the situation.

“The difference, I think, right now is I’ve been good at coming up with a plan for each individual pitcher that I’m facing and really taking the situation of the game into account,” O’Hearn said.

“There are times when I’m trying to hit the three-run homer. There are times when I’m trying to get jammed for a single to left field. There are times when I feel like, hey, based off of my last two at-bats or the situation of the game or whatever, maybe they’re not going to attack me here so I’m going to see a few more pitches. I think it’s just getting older and a little bit more experienced and having just a good feel for the game.”

While O’Hearn has continued to evolve as a hitter, teammates and coaches have lauded him for maintaining the same demeanor throughout. His presence in the clubhouse as a veteran leader who has had to fight for his spot on the roster many times over has put credence behind his words during pep talks and team meetings, especially right now with the way he’s playing.

“Any time a player comes back from the dead … you just really love the story and you’re really happy for the player,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino, who has worked closely with him over the years as third base and infield defense coach. “I don’t think those stories and those experiences are rare. I think it happens way more than we think, but I definitely think when it happens and guys come back from it, it kind of makes the player. And it’s something we all feel good about and it’s a story that makes us want to follow him.”

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