Baltimore Orioles 2026 Outlook: Can This Young Core Contend in the AL East?

Henderson has been the best of the three so far. He finished fourth in MVP voting in 2024 and, despite a poor March and April, has been by far the Orioles’ best player in 2025. Henderson finished his 2024 campaign with 9.1 bWAR, an elite number, reflecting his elite hitting, defense, and baserunning. At only 24 years old, Henderson has also stepped up as a leader in the clubhouse and gives the Orioles a player to rally behind.

Rutschman has struggled since the second half of 2024. He has been injured quite often, and when not injured, he slumps just as often. Even throughout these times, Rutschman has shown flashes of what made him a two-time all-star and Silver Slugger. He is only 27 years old and has put together very valuable seasons in the past. He was the first prospect of this era to be called up. Now he is one of the oldest players on the team. As a now veteran leader in this clubhouse, Rutschman must return to his previous form to help this young squad thrive.

Holliday struggled greatly when he first debuted in 2024. His 2025 season has been better, but it hasn’t lived up to the expectations of him as a prospect. He has shown flashes of what he can be, a true five-tool player. The hope is that the 21-year-old can put it all together and be a true star for the Orioles. He is coming into the 2026 season with a broken hamate bone in his hand, which may keep him out for some time to start the season.

Outside of the three former number-one overall prospects, Baltimore also has more young studs that round out this core. Among them are:

Third Baseman Jordan Westburg. Westburg was an all-star in 2024 and a consensus top 100 prospect before he got called up in 2023. He provides good defense, with versatility to also play second base, and a 120+ OPS+ bat. The only problem with Westburg is injuries. He missed 55 games in 2024 and missed 97 games in 2025. Heading into 2026, Westburg has suffered a UCL injury, leaving his availability in question. When he is playing, he is one of the best infielders in baseball. The only problem is that “when” is becoming more and more scarce.

The Westburg injury does, however, come with a silver lining in more Coby Mayo playing time. Mayo was once a highly touted third base prospect, but with Westburg locking down third base, Mayo was moved to first base. At first base, he was splitting time with Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O’Hearn, so he didn’t get to play all that much, and when he was playing, he was struggling. He has been on fire in spring training batting .389/.400/.639 in 14 games. He’s also tied with Pete Alonso for most hits with 14 and ranks first in RBIs with 12. The Orioles brass are hoping he can stay hot into the regular season.

The Orioles have two rookies in 2026 in catcher Samuel Basallo and outfielder Dylan Beavers. Both broke into the major leagues in 2025, showing flashes of elite hitting. If they can reach their potential, they will be major players on the 2026 Orioles squad.

Starting Pitcher Trevor Rogers. Rogers was traded for at the 2024 deadline for now-Marlins star Kyle Stowers. Orioles fans were outraged by this trade following Rogers’ poor performance in 2024 after joining the team, as he posted a 7.11 ERA in four starts. The outrage is no longer, however, as Rogers hasn’t just been good in 2025, but historic. Rogers is only 27 years old and will start on opening day in Baltimore.

Trevor Rogers isn’t the only elite arm in the Orioles rotation. Kyle Bradish joins him for a formidable 1-2 punch in the rotation. He broke onto the scene in 2023, finishing fourth in Cy Young voting. He has faced health issues since then, posting only 14 starts over the past two seasons, but he was elite when he played. He is healthy heading into 2026, and the hope is that his play will remain elite.

Key Offseason Additions

Mike Elias, the Orioles’ president of baseball operations, is subject to much criticism from Orioles fans for a lack of action. This offseason, that was not the case.

His biggest acquisition came in former Met Pete Alonso. Alonso adds power to a lineup that had its home run leader hit only 17. Alonso has never had fewer than 34 home runs in a full season. He also brings leadership and a veteran presence to an otherwise very young roster. Alonso signed a 5-year, $155 million contract with the Orioles, marking the first big contract handed out by Mike Elias under the new ownership of David Rubinstein. A huge needle mover in a stacked AL East division.

Elias didn’t only add Alonso to bolster the lineup, but also traded for Taylor Ward. The loss of Grayson Rodriguez was saddening to many Orioles fans, including myself, but he just cannot stay healthy. So, having a playing Ward is much better than a not playing Rodriguez. Ward is a very solid outfielder who will provide a steady bat and solid defense.

Elias’ additions didn’t stop at the lineup, as he added three starting pitchers to the rotation in Shane Baz, Chris Bassitt, and Zach Eflin. Baz is a once highly regarded prospect, and still has the stuff to be an elite pitcher. This addition has been compared to the addition of Trevor Rogers, and if he could have even half of his success, he would be a great addition for the Orioles. Bassitt and Eflin both are inning eaters, which will help provide stability to the rotation.

The bullpen is the one area Oriole fans wish Elias addressed more. He didn’t neglect the bullpen, however, bringing in closer Ryan Helsley and bringing back Andrew Kittredge. With Felix Bautista facing a shoulder injury that may keep him out of the entire 2026 campaign, Helsley is granted the role. With a career ERA of 2.96, there is much optimism in this addition. He will need to be solid if the Orioles want to stay in the AL East race.

Orioles Projected Rotation & Lineup

Projected Opening Day Lineup:

1. Gunnar Henderson, SS
2. Taylor Ward, RF
3. Pete Alonso, 1B
4. Adley Rutschman, C
5. Tyler O’Neill, LF
6. Samuel Basallo, DH
7. Coby Mayo, 3B
8. Colton Cowser, CF
9. Blaze Alexander, 2B

End Of My Baltimore Orioles Rant

The Orioles are in the toughest division in the MLB, the AL East. Even with how stacked their roster is, they are still projected to finish fourth in the division behind the Blue Jays, the Yankees, and the Red Sox. I think all four of these teams may make the playoffs. That would be wild.

As an Orioles fan, I haven’t been this excited going into a season since the Orioles acquired Corbin Burnes in 2024. Following a 101-win season, I thought they were sure to win a playoff game at least. They did it, and it was a large disappointment. I hope things are different this time.

A large part of success will have to do with staying healthy. The Orioles are already experiencing some injuries, with the following hurt going into the season: Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Dylan Beavers, Andrew Kittredge, and Felix Bautista. Mike Elias brought in lots of depth in the offseason, but if this depth gets hurt or simply doesn’t step up, the Orioles could be in trouble.

My 2026 Projection: 87-92 wins, Wild Card contender.