New Orioles Teammates Share Lighthearted Moment at Spring Training

The vibes are already shifting in Sarasota.

As the Baltimore Orioles prepare for the 2026 season, two of their biggest offseason additions — Pete Alonso and Chris Bassitt — gave fans a glimpse of budding clubhouse chemistry with a hilarious exchange during a live spring training at-bat.

According to Matt Weyrich of The Baltimore Sun, Bassitt warned Alonso he would throw just one pitch in his final at-bat against him that day.

Alonso popped it up.

His reaction?

“D***it.”

Bassitt didn’t miss the opportunity.

“You knew what was coming.”

Alonso fired back: “No I didn’t.”

Bassitt’s closing line: “I told you one pitch.”

Simple. Competitive. And very Orioles.

New Faces, New Energy in Baltimore

The moment quickly made its way across social media, serving as an early sign that Baltimore’s offseason investments are meshing smoothly.

After missing the postseason in 2025, the Orioles were aggressive:

• Signing Alonso away from the New York Mets

• Adding Bassitt on a one-year deal to stabilize the rotation

The front office clearly prioritized veteran presence to complement its young core.

And the chemistry appears to be building early.

From Rising Contender to Reset Mode

Just a few seasons ago, Baltimore was considered one of baseball’s most exciting young teams.

Behind breakout stars like Gunnar Henderson, the Orioles won 101 games in 2023 before being swept in the ALDS by the Texas Rangers.

The momentum didn’t fully carry over:

• Eliminated in the Wild Card round in 2024

• Missed the playoffs entirely in 2025 after winning just 75 games

Now, 2026 represents both opportunity and urgency.

Why This Moment Matters

Spring training banter may seem small — but it matters.

Teams with real postseason aspirations often point to chemistry as a separator when talent levels are comparable. Competitive joking between a power-hitting first baseman and a savvy veteran pitcher signals comfort and mutual respect.

Bassitt’s veteran confidence.
Alonso’s fiery competitiveness.

Those traits translate over 162 games.

If the Orioles are going to return to the dominance they showed in 2023, they’ll need:

• Alonso’s middle-of-the-order power

• Bassitt’s consistency on the mound

• Continued growth from Henderson and the young core

• And the type of cohesion that turns tight games into wins

Looking Ahead to 2026

The 2026 MLB season begins in late March, and Baltimore’s goals are clear:

Return to October.
Sustain regular-season excellence.
Avoid another step backward.

Moments like Alonso groaning after popping up on the one pitch he was promised won’t show up in box scores.

But they do show something else — a team starting to bond.

And after the rollercoaster of the past two seasons, that might be exactly what Baltimore needs.