Baltimore Orioles Holding At No. 24 In MLB Power Rankings

While there have been some MLB teams that have overcome rough starts to a season and made their way to postseason play, it's a long road ahead for the Baltimore Orioles.

The Orioles won 18 total games in April and May combined. Their effort in June was much better, thanks to key contributions. Yet Baltimore is not showing any true signs of massive improvement. In the latest MLB Power Rankings from The Athletic, the Orioles are still sitting at the No. 24 spot.

Sure, Jackson Holliday has been playing better. Even starting pitcher Charlie Morton has shown signs of being a better, more trustworthy starter for Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino.

But the team overall? It needs a lot of work. The Athletic's Chad Jennings breaks down the Orioles' current situation.

"The fact is, the Orioles weren’t bad in June," Jennings wrote. "Winning record. Swept the Mariners and Angels. Scored 22 runs in a game against the Rays. Gunnar Henderson had his best month of the year, Jordan Westburg got healthy, and Adley Rutschman was really good (before he got hurt).

Baltimore Orioles might be looking to trade assets when MLB Trade Deadline hits soon

"Charlie Morton even pitched well!" Jennings wrote. "But what good does that do for a team that won only nine games in April and only nine more in May? At this point, the Orioles’ playoff odds have been stuck in single digits for almost two months. 

"So, what should we make of a decent June?" Jennings wrote. "It’s kept them from being truly awful, but the trade deadline is a month away, and that’s surely not enough time to avoid being sellers."

Could Baltimore be looking at a few trade situations entering the MLB Trade Deadline? It's possible. The Orioles need to shore up some positions all across the 40-man roster. They might be looking to set themselves up for future success while writing this season off as a loss.

Orioles fans might be pleased with the team's recent winning ways. But it's going to take a massive push in July and August for Baltimore to even be in formal discussions for an AL postseason spot.