Cedric Mullins Bio
Boyce Cedric Mullins II is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets. Mullins played college baseball for the Campbell Fighting Camels and was selected by the Orioles in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2018 with the Orioles. In 2021, he was an All-Star, won a Silver Slugger Award, and became the first Oriole to join the 30–30 club.
Early Life and Background
Boyce Cedric Mullins II was born on October 1, 1994, in Snellville, Georgia, USA. He attended Brookwood High School, where he began to show promise as a baseball player. After high school, Mullins spent his first two years of college baseball at Louisburg College, where he excelled academically, achieving a perfect 4.0 grade point average and graduating Summa Cum Laude with an Associate of Arts degree in 2014. He then transferred to Campbell University, where he continued to develop his skills on the field. At Campbell, Mullins led the Fighting Camels in several offensive categories during the 2015 season, including batting average, runs scored, and hits.
Path to Baseball
After his standout season at Campbell University, Mullins was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round of the 2015 MLB draft. He made his professional debut with the Low-A Aberdeen IronBirds, where he played the entire 2015 season, posting a .264 batting average with two home runs and 32 RBIs in 68 games. Mullins continued to progress through the Orioles’ minor league system, playing for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds in 2016 and the Double-A Bowie Baysox in 2017. His performance earned him a promotion to the major leagues in 2018.
Cedric Mullins Career
Early Career (2018–2020)
Cedric Mullins made his major league debut on August 10, 2018, against the Boston Red Sox, where he collected three hits, two RBIs, and scored three runs. This performance made him the first Oriole in franchise history to collect three hits in his Major League debut. Despite a challenging start to his career, including a demotion to Triple-A Norfolk in 2019, Mullins managed to secure a spot on the Orioles’ opening day roster in 2020. During the shortened 2020 season, he hit .271 with three home runs and seven stolen bases.
Breakthrough (2021)
The year 2021 marked a significant turning point in Mullins’ career. He transitioned to a full-time left-handed hitter and had a breakout season, earning his first All-Star selection. Mullins achieved his first career multi-home run game on April 26, 2021, against the New York Yankees. He became the first Orioles player to hit 30 home runs and steal 30 bases in a season since the franchise moved from St. Louis, finishing the year with a .291 batting average, 30 home runs, and 30 stolen bases. His outstanding performance earned him the Silver Slugger Award and recognition as the Most Valuable Oriole.
Notable Works and Milestones
Mullins’ signature work includes his remarkable 2021 season, where he was not only an All-Star but also a member of the 30–30 club. He finished ninth in the American League MVP voting and was recognized for his contributions to the Orioles, receiving the Silver Slugger Award.
Cedric Mullins Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Cedric Mullins has received several nominations, including his selection as an All-Star in 2021 and his recognition for the Silver Slugger Award in the same year.
Cedric Mullins Awards Won
Cedric Mullins has won notable awards, including the All-Star selection in 2021, the Silver Slugger Award in 2021, and membership in the 30–30 club in 2021.
Cedric Mullins Family
Cedric Mullins is married to Erika Hardy, and the couple welcomed their daughter in December 2023.
Personal Life
In addition to his baseball career, Mullins enjoys marketing and math, and he has expressed an interest in engineering. He is a fan of anime, particularly the series Naruto, which has inspired him throughout his life and career.