Spring training is officially underway in Sarasota, and the Orioles are preparing for the 162 game marathon that is the regular season.
Entering the spring, there are a couple of key battles that will be important to track during the next month and a half.
While many of the O’s starting jobs are locked up, there are some key spots due to new faces, departures and young prospects looking to break in.
The exit of Anthony Santander leaves Baltimore looking for a new face in right field. Baltimore brought in Tyler O’Neill from the Boston Red Sox, leaving question marks floating around former top prospect Heston Kjerstad.
Will Kjerstad start in Norfolk or will he find a space on the big league roster with a role in the everyday lineup?
Heston Kjerstad vs the field
It is difficult to narrow down where the primary battle for the talented outfielder will be.
The Orioles have signed plenty of outfield depth while also thickening the race to start at designated hitter.
With the signing of Gary Sanchez and his enormous power threat to left-handed pitching, the Orioles could be looking to platoon the slugger.
This would allow the Orioles to find Kjerstad some playing time as the designated hitter against right-handed pitching.
The other and potentially more enticing battle is whether or not new Oriole Tyler O’Neill will win the everyday starting role in the outfield over Kjerstad.
Cowser and Mullins have all but locked up their roles in left field and center. O’Neill is another strong right-handed power bat who crushed 16 home runs against left-handed pitching in 2024.
Kjerstad could earn himself an opportunity to platoon in right field with a solid spring, along with the designated hitter competition getting too crowded.
The signings of Ramon Laureano and Dylan Carlson late in the winter not only confused fans but also crowded the outfield even more.
The Orioles had already signed outfielder Daz Cameron and designated him for assignment, Cameron has since cleared waivers and is headed to Norfolk to begin 2025. Kjerstad’s chances depend on his performance in the spring and will determine where he begins in 2025.
How will the Orioles fill out the back end of their rotation?
The Orioles starting rotation is a deeply crowded group, with the recent signings and players slotted to return from injury during the 2025 season.
The Orioles picked up Charlie Morton and Tomoyuki Sugano this winter. Combined with the returning Grayson Rodriguez and Zach Eflin, the Orioles have one rotation spot to fill.
Kyle Bradish is slated to return from injury in the back half of the 2025 season.
This opens the door for a couple of options for the Orioles to entertain as camp opens. Dean Kremer started 24 games for the Orioles last season and likely looks to be the front-runner for the final starting spot, although he finished with a 4.10 ERA in 2024. Kremer has started for the Orioles consistently since 2020.
Another returner is Trevor Rogers, who will be unavailable when Opening Day arrives. The Orioles pitcher partially dislocated his kneecap in the offseason and is expected to begin the season on the injured list.
Rogers would have a case to join the ranks of the Orioles rotation with a strong spring but will instead have to work his way through rehab before rejoining the club.
Other options that will be joining the team in Sarasota are Cade Povich, Brandon Young, Albert Suárez, and Chayce McDermott.
Now that camp has opened, the battles will begin and as the calendar inches closer to Opening Day those who have prepared themselves in the offseason for these competitions will come out and earn their way to being a staple at Camden Yards at the beginning of the season.
