“You’ll Find Out”: Pete Alonso Teases the ‘New Oriole Way’ as Baltimore Looks Toward Opening Day 2026

With exactly 60 days remaining until Orioles Opening Day, the countdown to baseball season has officially begun in Baltimore. Pitchers and catchers—especially those participating in the World Baseball Classic—are set to report to Sarasota in just 15 days, marking the unofficial start of the 2026 MLB season for the Baltimore Orioles.

Under normal circumstances, spring training milestones don’t always spark much excitement. But with much of the region locked in snow, ice, and sub-freezing temperatures, the thought of baseball returning offers a welcome sense of warmth—at least mentally. For fans trudging through winter weather, the idea of sun-soaked afternoons and crack-of-the-bat moments feels closer than ever.

As always, the hope is that everyone impacted by the recent storms remains safe and avoids serious inconvenience. Baseball will return soon enough.

Weather Forces Orioles to Cancel Birdland Caravan Events

Unfortunately, the same winter weather dampening spirits also disrupted plans across Birdland. The Orioles opted to cancel the entire Saturday slate of Birdland Caravan events, a move that some fans felt was overly cautious.

While it’s understandable that player travel concerns factored into the decision—especially with worsening weather conditions—there was a sense that at least part of the planned activities could have gone forward. For fans eager to interact with players outside of game settings, the cancellation was a disappointment, and that frustration is entirely fair.

Birdland Caravan events provide rare opportunities for supporters to see Orioles players in relaxed, fan-friendly environments. Missing those moments stings, even if safety and logistics ultimately dictated the outcome.

Pete Alonso Hints at a ‘New Oriole Way’

In the absence of new Caravan content, attention shifted to comments made during Friday’s events, most notably from Pete Alonso, who spoke cryptically about establishing a “New Oriole Way.”

Alonso offered little in the way of specifics, instead leaving fans and media to read between the lines. When pressed, the slugger essentially responded with a variation of: You’ll find out.

That ambiguity has fueled speculation throughout the fanbase. Is the “New Oriole Way” about accountability? A more aggressive competitive mindset? A shift in clubhouse culture? Or simply a rebranding of long-standing organizational values with a modern edge?

While Alonso didn’t elaborate, his confidence alone suggests a team that believes it is entering a new phase—one defined not by rebuilding or potential, but by expectations and results.

Gunnar Henderson Healthy and Eyeing a Bounce-Back Season

Another significant takeaway from Friday’s events came from Gunnar Henderson, who confirmed he is fully healthy after dealing with a shoulder impingement last season.

Henderson explained that the injury occurred early in the year while diving for a ball, resulting in inflammation that lingered longer than initially realized. The issue reportedly forced him into a sub-optimal swing plane, limiting his ability to consistently drive the baseball.

That context helps explain why Henderson finished the season with 17 home runs, a total that fell short of expectations given his raw power and previous trajectory.

Now fully recovered, Henderson believes he is positioned for a significant rebound in 2026. On paper, the explanation is plausible—and encouraging.

Of course, Orioles fans have been here before. Optimism surrounding Adley Rutschman’s potential resurgence last offseason ultimately failed to materialize. Still, Henderson has provided far more detail about his injury and recovery than Rutschman ever did, making belief in a bounce-back feel more justified—if still cautious.

Orioles Prospects Shine on Top 100 Lists

Hope for the future isn’t limited to the major league roster. On Friday night, MLB Pipeline released its updated Top 100 Prospects list for 2026, and the Orioles were well represented.

Three Baltimore prospects cracked the list:

• Samuel Basallo – No. 8 overall

• Dylan Beavers – No. 69

• Nate George – No. 93

Basallo’s ranking inside the top 10 reinforces his status as one of baseball’s premier young talents. Beavers continues to hold steady as a well-rounded outfield prospect, while George’s inclusion reflects his breakout performance last season.

All three were also featured on Baseball America’s Top 100 Prospects list, which further validates their standing across the industry. Baseball America additionally ranked Trey Gibson and Luis De León, two pitching prospects who narrowly missed MLB Pipeline’s cut.

Why These Rankings Matter More Than Bragging Rights

Beyond prestige, these rankings carry tangible implications. As noted by the Baltimore Sun, Basallo and Beavers are now officially eligible for Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) draft pick compensation, provided they meet service-time and award thresholds.

That means success at the major league level could translate directly into extra draft capital for the Orioles—another example of how player development and organizational strategy intersect in today’s MLB.

New Manager, New Expectations

The Birdland Caravan also gave players their first extended face-to-face interactions with new manager Craig Albernaz, and the tone coming out of those meetings was notably upbeat.

“I feel good about this club,” Albernaz said when asked about the 2026 Orioles.

While such statements don’t guarantee results, they do matter. Albernaz wasn’t obligated to take this job. If he sensed dysfunction or misalignment within the organization, he could have passed and waited for other opportunities. Instead, he chose Baltimore—and his confidence suggests internal belief that the team is ready to win.

Orioles News You May Have Missed

• Pete Alonso says there’s a ‘New Oriole Way’ (The Baltimore Banner)
  Andy Kostka explores Alonso’s comments and what they could signal for the franchise.

• Orioles players getting to know new skipper—and they know it’s time to win (Steve On Baseball)
  Steve Melewski highlights the urgency and accountability emerging within the clubhouse.

• Albernaz on 2026 Orioles: ‘I feel good about this club’ (Baltimore Baseball)
  Early confidence from the new manager adds to offseason optimism.

• Why Basallo and Beavers’ Top 100 rankings matter (Baltimore Sun)
  A breakdown of Prospect Promotion Incentive implications.

Birthdays and Orioles History

No major Orioles milestones are recorded for January 25. It’s unlikely snowbound executive Mike Elias will change that in 2026.

Former Orioles born on this date include:

• Richie Lewis (1998, pitcher)

• Francisco Meléndez (1989, infielder)

• Wally Bunker (1963–68, pitcher), who turns 81 today

Happy birthday to Wally Bunker—and to anyone else celebrating today.

Notable birthday twins include Virginia Woolf, Alicia Keys, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and Ariana DeBose.

On This Day in History

From the Battle of the Zab in 750 to the end of the Battle of the Bulge in 1945, January 25 has seen pivotal moments across centuries. It’s also the date of one of history’s darkest courtroom verdicts, as Charles Manson and his followers were convicted in 1971.

Random Orioles Trivia Question

Who led the Baltimore Orioles in home runs during the 1970 season?

Think you know?