Gunnar Henderson shortstop Ascension was a huge success for the Orioles in 2024 (AP Photo/Nick Wass)
Let’s take a look at the 2024 Baltimore Orioles season. Here are the questions the team will have to address this winter and the early outlook for 2025.
Read more: 2024 MLB Offseason Preview: What’s next for the Twins, Mariners, Cubs and more?
Postseason results
The Orioles were kicked out of the postseason for the second year in a row. In the wild card loss to the Royals, the O’s recorded one run in 18 innings. This was because the offense wasted a gem from Corbin Burns in Game 1 and failed to deliver in a key moment in Game 2. The team’s other young stars will have a lot to think about over the winter.
what got right
After making significant improvements in 2023, the Orioles will compete for the AL East title until the final week of the season, confirming their status as one of baseball’s best teams by making the postseason for the second straight year. Hardened.
Offensively, the team finished fourth in scoring thanks to the leadership of Gunnar Henderson and Anthony Santander. Henderson made a huge leap forward in his second full season in the major leagues, finishing the season 11th in MLB in OPS, 6th in runs scored, and 9th in home runs. Meanwhile, Santander ranked third in baseball with 44 homers.
There hasn’t been much success among pitchers, but Corbin Burnes was one who lived up to high expectations after being acquired in an offseason trade. Despite experiencing a significant drop in strikeout rate, Barnes went 15-9 and ranked seventh in baseball in ERA. Perhaps most importantly, he was a mainstay leading the rotation all season, pitching 194 1/3 innings.
What didn’t go well
Although this is still a franchise on the rise, it’s impossible to ignore the factors that led to the Orioles winning 10 more games this season than they did in 2023.
Overall, the pitching staff was mediocre. Beyond Barnes, no hurler pitched 135 innings. No one with at least 10 starts produced a 3.70 ERA. The starters were at least acceptable, but the bullpen was a different story. Craig Kimbrel was mostly effective in the first half of the season (2.80 ERA, 23 saves, 6 wins) before falling apart after the All-Star break. He was designated for assignment in September. The setup crew led by Yennier Cano and Cionel Pรฉrez was admirable, and Seranthony Domรญnguez did his best to fill a ninth-inning role after arriving at the trade deadline, but the Bullpen finished 23rd in baseball in ERA. Ta.
As for position players, Adley Latchman may have been the biggest disappointment. It’s hard to complain about a workhorse playing one of baseball’s most demanding positions, but after a strong start, Rutschman’s form declined dramatically, posting a .585 OPS in the second half. Overall, his year-over-year OPS dropped 100 points.
Beyond Rutschman, the biggest offensive disappointment was the collective failure of the team’s top prospects to help the club in the second half of the season. In April, the offensive talent of the Norfolk Tides, Baltimore’s Triple-A team, was the talk of baseball. But as the Orioles watched the Yankees surge ahead of them to win the division title, they received minimal contributions from the likes of Jackson Holiday, Coby Mayo, and Heston Kijalstad. I didn’t.
off season planning
This is a crucial offseason for the Orioles, and if they don’t make the right moves, they could quickly go from being on the upswing to being in the doldrums.
The infield is mostly set. Rutschman should bounce back offensively and is incredibly valuable either way. Ryan Mountcastle has failed to improve in recent years, but could be doing enough to remain the starting baseman. Although Holiday has struggled this year, he was a very nice prospect to open 2025 as the Orioles’ second baseman. That leaves Henderson at shortstop and the versatile Jordan Westberg at the hot corner. Ramon Urias and Jorge Mateo are capable backup infielders.
There are two certainties and one notable vacancy in the outfield. Cedric Mullins is under contract for one more year, and Colton Cowser will patrol center field after a strong rookie season in left field. Santander is heading into free agency and losing him would be a huge blow to the lineup. If that happens, the team could pivot to Kjerstad or bring in a replacement from outside the organization. The Orioles will also have to make a difficult decision on the $7.5 million option for Ryan O’Hearn, a useful offensive player who can play between DH, first base and the outfield.
With Barnes heading to free agency, there is a big hole in the rotation. That said, Grayson Rodriguez has emerged as an effective starter and could develop into an ace. He will be joined by Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer. Cade Povich didn’t have much success as a rookie, but he’s young and talented. He could be the fifth starter. Still, re-signing Barnes or replacing him with an equally talented pitcher is necessary.
As for the bullpen, the main relief pitchers are under contract through 2025, and they have a big helper in Felix Bautista, who will return from Tommy John surgery in 2023. Bautista’s presence moves Domรญnguez to the setup committee with Cano and Pรฉrez.
Overall, ownership will need to commit more money for this roster to take the next step. Baltimore has maintained below-average personnel costs in recent years, which is to be expected for a rebuilding team not prepared to sign big-money free agents. Now things have changed. And while some of the particularly talented youngsters have been given affordable contracts, club owner David Rubenstein has added some key veterans to the team. It’s time to add. Whether the O’s keep Santander and Burnes or look elsewhere, acquiring a No. 3 hitter and ACE has to be part of the offseason plan.
Subscribe to Baseball Bar-B-Cast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.
outlook on the horizon
Gone are Baltimore’s days of being ranked at the top of prospect lists as many players have graduated to the majors. Still, this organization has a great group of youngsters, including some who can help the team next year.
Although Mayo was not at all successful in his first major league trial, he is still considered one of baseball’s best prospects. The third baseman posted a .926 OPS in Triple-A this year. This is where he will likely open 2025 thanks to his path being blocked by Westberg and Holiday. Still, Mayo could find his way to the Orioles as a first baseman if Mountcastle were moved to the DH or outfield.
Samuel Vassallo could also quickly become a factor at first base, given that his path to being the number one catcher is blocked by Latchman. The 20-year-old has tremendous value for teams looking for a young catcher, and could be an attractive trade chip in a deal to acquire a pitcher this winter.
Dylan Beavers is in a long line of outfield prospects for Baltimore who could use his plus speed to bring another component to the lineup in late 2025.
Finally, Chase McDermott may have more immediate value to the team than anyone else on this list, as he is the only top prospect who could contribute to the rotation right away. The right-hander spent all of 2024 in Triple-A, where he continued to show exceptional swing and miss skills. Lowering his walk rate is key for him to take the next step.
Goals for 2025
A year ago, the Orioles seemed destined to win many AL East championships. They still have a chance to make it happen, but they have their work cut out for them. The Yankees are always a formidable opponent, and that’s especially true if they re-sign Juan Soto. Boston is on the rise, the Rays are looking to acquire a handful of talented starting pitchers from long-term injuries, and the Blue Jays look to remain competitive next year.
Baltimore should easily qualify for the postseason again in 2025, but the Orioles’ goal is much bigger than that. This is a franchise that has entered the World Series contention stage and needs to make its chances count.
fantasy focus
With Barnes and Santander potentially on the way, Henderson is the only returning player to be an early draft pick. Shortstops are selected in the first round of each draft, and Latchman’s name is announced in the fifth to eighth rounds, depending on the league format. Rodriguez is selected in a similar range. Because he rates as a No. 2 starter. And as long as he looks good in spring training, Bautista will be one of the more popular options. The next tier of Orioles – a group that includes Westberg, Kasser, Holiday and Eflin – will be in the round-10 range.