Apr 16, 2017; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Baltimore Orioles left fielder Craig Gentry (14) celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a two run home run against Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles are off to a 9-4 start, and much of the credit for that should be targeted at the bullpen, good defense and enough offense to get by.

But, I feel the need to dig a little deeper. How valuable is the end of the bench for the Baltimore Orioles?

The Orioles have long put a lot of stock into their defensive play. I mean, that is why Ryan Flaherty is still on the team, because he can play as a backup at almost any position and fill in admirably with the glove.

When you look at the Orioles’ roster, who would you consider to be the end of the bench.

Well, it wouldn’t be any of the nine regular starters (counting Hyun Soo Kim and Seth Smith for this exercise). It wouldn’t be Caleb Joseph, who has an important role as the reserve catcher. Nor would it be the aforementioned Flaherty.

In the past, Buck often would have the same nine guys play the entire game. Now, he has the luxury to reposition his outfield defense to give his team the best chance at closing out a game.

It wouldn’t be any part of the rotation, and not the bullpen either. Each team needs a long man, and the Orioles need more than one with their rotation’s propensity for short starts.

That leaves only Trey Mancini and Craig Gentry.

Everyone loves offense, so Mancini isn’t the end of the bench, especially when he has tied major league records for home runs to start a career.

That leaves Craig Gentry.

The 33-year-old right handed hitter is 2-for-18 with 1 HR, 3 RBI, 2 R, and 1 SB. Not exactly glowing numbers. But, his ability to impact a game has already been on display twice in the early going.

April 15th, Gentry comes in as a pinch runner in the ninth inning against Toronto after a Welington Castillo single. Gentry steals second, moves to third on an out and then scores on a sacrifice fly which ties the game.

The Orioles would go on to lose the game, but Gentry showed just how valuable he can be.

April 19th, Gentry comes in in the seventh inning as a defensive replacement for Trey Mancini in left field. With Billy Hamilton on third base and two outs, Joey Votto hits a sharp line drive toward the left field line. Gentry makes the long run, gets to the ball and crashes into the wall, holding on to the out.

If Gentry doesn’t catch that ball, what does Votto, one of the best hitters in the National League, have the chance to do? We will never find out.

Other than maybe Adam Jones, no one else on the roster gets to that ball. Not Trey Mancini, Seth Smith, Mark Trumbo or Hyun Soo Kim. Probably not even Joey Rickard.

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Writing this about Gentry reminded me of a time I love to forget. The Orioles faced a team once upon a time who had a player they deployed in a similar fashion. It was Terrance Gore in the 2014 playoffs for the Royals.

The ability that Gentry has to impact a game with his legs should not be overlooked. And, for all purposes, he should hit better as well.

In the past, Buck often would have the same nine guys play the entire game. Now, he has the luxury to reposition his outfield defense to give his team the best chance at closing out a game.

Some might say that Gentry is a luxury. And, when Rickard and Chris Tillman are back, and maybe Anthony Santander as well if the Orioles want to keep him, maybe he will be a luxury that isn’t worth keeping.

Until then, don’t lose sight of the importance Gentry can play in a game, even in limited playing time.