It’s that time again: the 2016 BEVys are almost upon us. We have so many great awards presented by our friends and colleagues in the Bird-O’s-Sphere, but we have a couple of our own we would like to bring you.

How Could I Have Been So Wrong?

This award is given to the player who – for better or for worse – has differed from our pre-season expectations. The nominees for this award have either greatly exceeded expectations, or failed to meet them. This one is up to you, O’s fans, please make your selection on Twitter!

Vote in the 2016 BEVy Awards! Here are the nominees for “How Could I have Been So Wrong?”https://t.co/6zPmM8H2g9

— Bird’s Eye View (@BirdsEyeViewBal) July 9, 2016

But first, a few words about each of our nominees…
 

Brad Brach, RP

Brach has gone from a quiet off-season acquisition in late 2013, to a vital component of the Orioles’ bullpen. Brach has provided manager Buck Showalter with a valuable, versatile weapon. Brach has the ability to go multiple innings, as well as the ability to turn up the velocity and dominate a single inning in high-leverage situations. In Darren O’Day’s absence, Brach has become the primary set-up man, and was recently named to his first All Star Game, a recognition of his tremendous season.

We knew Brad Brach was pretty good. But did we expect he could be this good?

Joey Rickard, OF

Joey Rickard was supposed to be the Chosen One. Orioles fans, watching another frustrating Orioles outfield in Spring Training, were delighted that Rule 5 pick Joey Rickard could do it all – he was getting on base, he was making plays in the field. In short, he made the best of every opportunity, and forced his way onto the roster. Then he started the season gangbusters. In the Orioles seven game win streak to start the season, Rickard was one of the regular stars of the show.

… and then…

Rickard struggled to make adjustments. He has come under fire by statistically minded fans and analysts for his sub-par fielding. He has struggled against right-handed pitching. At one point, Rickard had the starting job in LF locked up, and now he’s a platoon player and a late-inning defensive/running replacement. Sure, Joey Rickard is still contributing to this team. He’s being put in situations in which he has the best chance of being successful, and he’s doing just that. But this wasn’t the deal. We were promised a

Hyun Soo Kim, OF

Hyun Soo Kim was literally booed down the Orange Carpet on Opening Day. After a slow-as-molasses start in Spring Training, Kim declined the team’s “invitation” to get some additional seasoning in the minors, and spent the majority of the early parts of the season riding the pine. Only when other outfield options faltered did Kim get his chance.

Since then, all Kim has done is get on base. Kim may not be a thumper (though he does have three homers under his belt), but he has an excellent command of the strike zone, and a penchant for slapping singles and, as Buck says, “passing the baton.” Kim is not a plus defender, but he has pushed his way into the starting lineup, and is now getting at bats against lefties – threatening to put his platoon days behind him.

Tyler Wilson, SP

Wherever you were on the Tyler Wilson spectrum before this season, you have been both surprised and validated at different points of the season. Some expected Wilson to take advantage of the opportunity, and become a middling starter in the Major Leagues. Others expected him to get shelled, and make his way back to Norfolk.

Well, we have seen a bit of both. And with Ubaldo Jimenez and Mike Wright proving time and time again that they can go nuclear at any time, Wilson’s next chance to surprise or validate our opinion of him is right around the corner.