The Baltimore Orioles have emerged from a challenging rebuild with a roster brimming with youthful promise, reminiscent of the Houston Astros’ journey back in the mid-2010s.
While some fans marked their 2023 postseason run as the official end of the rebuilding phase, it’s clear now, after two straight playoff appearances, that the Orioles are well and truly on their way to becoming a dominant force in the league.
Reflecting on the current landscape, The Athletic’s Stephen J. Nesbitt, Rustin Dodd, and C.
Trent Rosecrans have placed the Orioles fourth in their early power rankings for the 2025 season. “The Orioles are still loaded with young talent, featuring former top prospects all over the diamond,” Dodd notes, pointing out the likelihood of another postseason appearance.
At the heart of Baltimore’s resurgence are young stars like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, who are swiftly becoming household names. Rutschman, debuting in 2022, has made waves with his performance behind the plate and at bat, boasting a career .261/.351/.421 line, 52 home runs, 201 RBI, and a solid 121 OPS+.
The debate over the title of Best Catcher in Baseball is heating up, with Rutschman knocking on the door of the elite club that currently includes J.T. Realmuto.
In the infield, Gunnar Henderson has carved out his niche and is making a strong case for being the top shortstop in baseball. His impressive .281/.364/.529 slash line, coupled with 37 home runs, 92 RBI, and a stellar 159 OPS+ over the course of 159 games this past season, underscores his potential.
With performances like these, Henderson is certainly in the mix for the American League MVP.
However, this offseason brings challenges as well, notably with the potential departure of ace pitcher Corbin Burnes, who has entered free agency for the first time.
While losing Burnes would indeed be a setback, the Orioles have built a resilient foundation to withstand such changes.
Their journey back to the top has been shaped by years of meticulous planning and player development, and now the hard work is bearing fruit, promising more opportunities to shine when it matters most—in October.
