Who's the best guess for Orioles breakout player in 2022?

Before we can toss out ideas for an Orioles breakout player this season, we first need to rummage through the qualifications.

Cedric Mullins made it easy in 2021. The April demotion in 2019 and inability to claw his way back to the majors. No assurances that he'd hold onto the center field job last spring.

The first 30/30 season in franchise history, along with an All-Star berth, Silver Slugger Award and ninth-place finish in Most Valuable Player voting in the American League.

And so on and so on.

Mullins was a unanimous winner for Most Valuable Oriole. A breakaway layup. Or a slam dunk with his leaping ability.

The Athletic recently had its writers predict a breakout player for each team in the AL East and chose infielder Jorge Mateo for the Orioles.

(Gleyber Torres was the choice for the Yankees, leaving the Orioles to wonder what the heck he's done wrong.)

Mateo would need the at-bats, which aren't laid out for him after the Orioles signed Rougned Odor and remain in the market for a veteran help on the left side of the infield. Mateo is out of options and going to get an extensive look in camp, with the club infatuated with his blazing speed.

I need to know whether Austin Hays is waiting to break out or if he's already broke.

I'm going with the former.

Hays carries a full toolbox, but injuries and slow starts have kept him from reaching his potential. He's getting close, though.

The former third-round pick out of Jacksonville University is a career .262/.312/.449 hitter in parts of four seasons. A grand total of 205 games.

A bunch of career highs came to Hays last summer, including games (131), doubles (26), triples (four), home runs (22), RBIs (71), walks (28) and WAR (3.1 per Baseball-Reference.com). Bound to happen when a player is able to accumulate 529 plate appearances when his previous best was 134. But he slashed .256/.308/.461.

He's much better than that.

Hays offered a strong closing argument last season, reaching base in his final 20 games and 37 of 38. His 31 extra-base hits and 71 total hits after the All-Star break led the Orioles, and his 40 RBIs ranked second behind Ryan Mountcastle's 41.

Mountcastle already had his breakout season, right?

Hays also led the Orioles with nine outfield assists - five in right field and four in left. He's probably the opening day left fielder with Anthony Santander in right. Hays is going to play a lot, as long as he's healthy.

The core injury that required surgery in October was kept secret for most of the season. Hays twice went on the injured list with hamstring strains. He was hurting more than we knew and still finished strong, batting 284 with a .921 OPS, seven doubles, a triple, eight home runs and 22 RBIs in 30 games in September/October.

He's my breakout player for 2022. My early favorite for Most Valuable Oriole and an All-Star selection.

Santander isn't a bad choice if he's locked in as the everyday right fielder. He's also been dogged by injuries and there's always the chance of a trade with previous interest expressed in him and the potential need to open the position for someone else.

Feel free to give me your pick for Orioles breakout player.