As the 2024 MLB season wrapped up with Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani grabbing MVP honors, it’s time to reflect on a thrilling journey that began back in February. Among this year’s top contenders were the Baltimore Orioles, who once again dazzled with a mix of emerging talent and seasoned pros.

With the third-best record in the American League, they certainly left their mark. The Orioles’ lineup featured standout performances such as Anthony Santander’s career-high 44 homers and 102 RBIs, Jordan Westburg’s All-Star debut cementing his role in the Orioles’ future, and Colton Cowser’s breakout that had Rookie of the Year written all over it.

Yet, as bright as the spotlight shone on these stars, not every player had a season to remember. Let’s shine a light on five Orioles who might’ve slipped under the radar this year.

Tony Kemp, a veteran picked to hold down second base, had the fans abuzz during the Orioles’ off-season. With rising talents like Jackson Holliday thriving in spring training and Connor Norby coming off a record-setting minor league season, expectations were high.

However, the Orioles turned heads by bringing in Kemp, and while he made a notable grab in Boston, his impact was fleeting. Kemp went hitless in 10 plate appearances over just five games, fading quickly from the picture in Baltimore.

Cristian Pache arrived at the trade deadline, part of a deal that sent Austin Hays to the Phillies. While Seranthony Dominguez was the centerpiece of the trade, Pache’s acquisition made strategic sense, given Cedric Mullins’ uncertain status.

However, Mullins stayed put, making Pache expendable. In his brief stint with the Orioles, Pache appeared in only three games but did manage a hit in his lone at-bat.

Yohan Ramírez’s season was a whirlwind. Suiting up for four teams—starting and ending with the Mets, with stops at the Dodgers, Red Sox, and Orioles in between—he had quite the nomadic year.

Ramírez’s control issues overshadowed his promising arm, leading to brief stays and quick exits. In his five games for Baltimore, those control struggles followed him, marking another chapter in a topsy-turvy 2024 season.

Then there was Thyago Vieira, whose stint with the Orioles vividly encapsulates the volatility of pro baseball. Acquired from the Brewers, Vieira had a single outing that didn’t go as planned.

Facing five batters, he managed to walk four and gave up a hit, all while allowing three earned runs without recording an out. This rocky performance led to a swift designation for assignment.

Lastly, Nick Maton came to the Orioles in an off-season swap with the Tigers, aimed at shoring up infield depth. Despite a robust campaign in Triple-A, belting 16 homers—his highest at any level—Maton found the Orioles’ infield too crowded to crack consistently. Briefly appearing defensively in June and getting another shot in September, he went hitless in five games, underscoring the tough competition within the Orioles’ ranks.

While not every story ends in triumph, each player’s journey contributes to the rich tapestry of a team’s season. And in baseball, like life, sometimes it’s those forgotten chapters that set the stage for future successes. The 2024 season may be in the books, but for these Orioles, the next chapter awaits.