The Orioles have struggled in two incredibly important areas this season. Westburg will be a boost in both.
The Baltimore Orioles have been slammed with injuries for the last year and a half. Dating back to the beginning of last season, it has been incredibly rare to see Baltimore at full strength, or even close to it.
So, when the injury bug bit the O’s yet again to begin the year, it was easy to exasperatingly throw your hands in the air to a chorus of “here we go again.”
However, lumping together the injuries of Colton Cowser and Jordan Westburg under that general umbrella didn’t afford those vacancies their proper gravity.
Cowser, last year’s American League Rookie of the Year runner-up, was tabbed by many as a breakout candidate, capable of making his first All-Star appearance in 2025.
At his best, the outfielder has the potential to be a 20/20 player with elite defense in left or right field and above-average defense in center.
While Cowser may have been a popular All-Star pick, Westburg has already been there. The former Mississippi State product burst onto the scene last season, being named to the Midsummer Classic in his first full season in the big leagues.
With his return to Baltimore’s lineup Tuesday, he figures to help the Orioles in two categories of dire need: hitting against left-handed pitching and with runners in scoring position.
Orioles’ search for offensive answers might end with Jordan Westburg’s return
Let’s start with the lefties. Westburg has been a reverse splits hitter throughout his career, meaning he hits right-handed pitching better than left-handed, even as a right-handed hitter.
However, Westy’s .744 on-base plus slugging percentage against southpaws this season would still be a welcome sight for an Orioles offense that has combined for a .560 OPS against left-handers this year.
Perhaps more significant is Westburg’s propensity for hitting with runners in scoring position.
Baltimore has the second-worst OPS in baseball with runners in scoring position at .622, only ahead of their playoff rival, the Kansas City Royals. Westburg has the ability to drastically change those fortunes.
Last season, the third baseman posted a .281/.350/.573 slash line with runners in scoring position, good for a .923 OPS. Those figures include 14 extra-base hits and 43 runs driven in across 101 plate appearances.
With Ryan Mountcastle on the injured list, the O’s right-handed options have been slim against lefties.
Their struggles with runners in scoring position have been persistent, regardless of who is on the mound. Adding Westburg back into the fold is sure to make a massive impact.
