Orioles Urged to Fix Major Adley Rutschman Decision

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Graves | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 4:22 PM ET

The Baltimore Orioles seem destined to start setting the table for 2026. Despite a six-game winning streak and nine wins in their last 11, Baltimore's postseason odds are still bleak. The hot stretch, impressive as it is, might just be too little, too late.

Bradford Doolittle of ESPN put it bluntly, the Orioles will do what the Tampa Bay Rays did last year, look ahead. That means letting young bats like Heston Kjerstad sink or swim at the major league level. It means living with mistakes and growing pains in the name of long-term gain.

But more than anything, it means finally addressing the elephant in the room: What's going on with Adley Rutschman?

He's supposed to be the guy, the leader, the cornerstone. And yet something just isn't clicking. The power has dipped. The energy looks muted. Whether it's mechanical, mental or physical, Rutschman hasn't played like a franchise catcher this season.

Through 59 games, Rutschman owns a .695 OPS and a .374 slugging percentage, both career lows. His walk rate has dipped from 11.7% last year to just 9.1%, and the power simply hasn’t shown up. For a player who was supposed to be the franchise’s offensive anchor, this is more than just a cold stretch, it’s a red flag.

The deadline isn't just about who Baltimore should trade or keep, it’s about who they are. If someone like their cornerstone catcher is slipping, that shapes everything moving forward.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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