![\"Which](\"http:\/\/res.cloudinary.com\/ybmedia\/image\/upload\/c_crop,e_improve,h_513,w_912,x_0,y_0\/c_fill,f_auto,h_900,q_auto,w_1600\/v1\/m\/9\/1\/91a19056d11560ccf8c828723d7b74b6366599c7\/01ke2se0qjm0tz24nb59.jpg\")
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Baltimore Orioles<\/strong> starting pitcher Trevor Rogers<\/strong> enters the 2026 season riding high off a dominant 2025 campaign, but questions remain about which version of the 28-year-old left-hander will take the mound. After years of inconsistency, Rogers is now positioned to be the anchor of a revamped Orioles rotation, but his upcoming contract year adds intrigue to his outlook.<\/p>\n Rogers is entering the final season of club control<\/strong>, and an extension has yet to be finalized. MLB.com\u2019s Thomas Harrigan<\/strong> named Rogers one of the 10 most interesting contract years to watch in 2026<\/strong>, citing the stark contrasts in his performance over the past five seasons.<\/p>\n \u201cThe past five years have been a roller coaster for Rogers, leaving the lefty with much to prove,\u201d Harrigan wrote. \u201cIs he closer to the pitcher who performed like a frontline arm in 2021 (2.64 ERA\/2.55 FIP) and again in \u201925 (1.81 ERA\/2.82 FIP)? Or do his 2022-24 numbers (5.09 ERA\/4.42 FIP) better reflect who he is? His walk year could reveal a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n With free agency on the horizon<\/strong>, Rogers\u2019 2026 performance could define both his next contract and his legacy<\/strong> in Baltimore.<\/p>\n Rogers was acquired by the Orioles in a 2024 trade deadline deal<\/strong> that sent outfielder Kyle Stowers<\/strong> and infielder Connor Norby<\/strong> to the Miami Marlins<\/strong>. At the time of the trade, Rogers held a 2-9 record with a 4.53 ERA<\/strong>, but Baltimore recognized his potential as a future frontline starter<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Initially, Rogers struggled after the trade, posting a 7.11 ERA in four starts<\/strong> and being optioned to Triple-A Norfolk<\/strong>. His early career was marked by inconsistency, injury setbacks, and questions about his durability.<\/p>\n Rogers opened the 2025 season on the injured list with a right knee subluxation<\/strong>, returning briefly to Triple-A before rejoining Baltimore as the 27th man for a May 24 doubleheader<\/strong>. In his first start back at Fenway Park, he allowed just two hits over 6.1 scoreless innings<\/strong>. After a brief return to Norfolk, he was recalled permanently in mid-June.<\/p>\n From there, Rogers did not leave the Orioles rotation<\/strong>, finishing 2025 with:<\/p>\n 9-3 record<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 1.81 ERA<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 0.90 WHIP<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n 5.5 bWAR over 18 starts<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Rogers\u2019 performance earned him the 2025 Louis M. Hatter Most Valuable Oriole Award<\/strong> from local media and ninth place in AL Cy Young voting<\/strong>, despite a limited number of starts.<\/p>\n One of the biggest factors in Rogers\u2019 resurgence was the resurgence of his fastball<\/strong>, which had averaged a career-low 91.9 mph in 2024<\/strong>. Rogers credited an offseason trip to Driveline<\/strong>, where coaches identified a loss of lower body strength<\/strong> as the primary cause of his velocity dip.<\/p>\n Past back issues had led Rogers to avoid certain workouts<\/strong>, reducing the overall strength in his legs and limiting his ability to generate power in his delivery. The new program focused on building lower-body strength and improving mechanics<\/strong>, allowing him to throw in the 93\u201395 mph range<\/strong> in 2025.<\/p>\n Rogers\u2019 improved velocity translated into greater effectiveness for his offspeed pitches<\/strong>, creating a more deceptive arsenal:<\/p>\n Fastball:<\/strong> +16 run value<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Changeup:<\/strong> +7 run value<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Slider:<\/strong> +4 run value<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Sweeper:<\/strong> +3 run value<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n The combination of velocity and deception led to strong underlying metrics:<\/p>\n Chase rate:<\/strong> 29.9%<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Groundball rate:<\/strong> 46.4%<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Strikeout rate:<\/strong> 24.3%<\/p>\n<\/li>\n FIP:<\/strong> 2.28<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n These numbers suggest that Rogers\u2019 1.81 ERA was supported by skill<\/strong>, rather than luck, making him a legitimate candidate to anchor Baltimore\u2019s rotation in 2026<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Expectations are high for Rogers, but a repeat of 2025\u2019s dominance may be unrealistic<\/strong>. Still, his improved fastball and effective offspeed pitches provide optimism that he can be counted on as the team\u2019s ace<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Barring injuries or major roster changes, the Orioles\u2019 starting rotation in 2026<\/strong> is expected to include:<\/p>\n Trevor Rogers (LHP)<\/strong> \u2013 Ace<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Kyle Bradish (RHP)<\/strong> \u2013 Young, emerging talent<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Shane Baz (RHP)<\/strong> \u2013 Newly acquired, high strikeout potential<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Zach Eflin (RHP)<\/strong> \u2013 Veteran stability<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Dean Kremer (RHP)<\/strong> \u2013 Solid backend starter<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n This rotation mix pairs veteran experience with high-upside youth<\/strong>, giving Baltimore a potentially dominant starting five for the upcoming season.<\/p>\n 2026 is a critical year for Rogers. A strong season could:<\/p>\n Lead to a lucrative long-term extension with Baltimore<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Elevate his market value for free agency<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Solidify his status as the team\u2019s rotation leader<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Conversely, any regression or injury could create uncertainty about his long-term role<\/strong> in Baltimore\u2019s plans.<\/p>\n Trevor Rogers enters 2026 as a cornerstone of the Orioles\u2019 pitching staff<\/strong>. After a roller-coaster career and a dominant 2025 campaign, all eyes are on the 28-year-old southpaw to determine which version of him will define his future.<\/p>\n If Rogers can maintain his velocity, command, and offspeed effectiveness<\/strong>, he could anchor a deep playoff-ready rotation<\/strong>, supporting Baltimore\u2019s pursuit of AL East contention<\/strong>. With Kyle Bradish, Shane Baz, Zach Eflin, and Dean Kremer<\/strong> alongside him, the Orioles may have finally built a rotation capable of sustaining success.<\/p>\n Rogers\u2019 2026 performance will not only define his career trajectory but could also set the tone for Baltimore\u2019s next decade<\/strong>, making him one of the most intriguing players to watch in the upcoming MLB season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Trevor Rogers Enters 2026 Season as Baltimore Orioles\u2019 Rotation Ace Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher Trevor Rogers enters the 2026 season riding high off a dominant 2025 campaign,… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":134137,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-134136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n
\nContract Year Spotlight: What\u2019s Next for Rogers?<\/h2>\n
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\nJourney to Baltimore<\/h2>\n
![\"Trevor](\"https:\/\/images2.minutemediacdn.com\/image\/upload\/c_crop,x_1471,y_164,w_2912,h_1638\/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto\/images\/ImagnImages\/mmsport\/inside_the_orioles\/01kac72tbcgfndwpgdqc.jpg\")
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\n2025 Season Turnaround<\/h2>\n
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\nKey to Success: Velocity and Mechanics<\/h2>\n
\nEnhanced Pitch Arsenal<\/h2>\n
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\nWhat 2026 Holds for Rogers and the Orioles<\/h2>\n
![\"Orioles:](\"https:\/\/www.thebanner.com\/resizer\/v2\/PCUIJPFBGRCCDEO4NW76AY4UB4.jpg?auth=ca4f8d077247c1d1bba85ac6c5948c3b37ceb930ef605db041b721bf397303ee&quality=85&width=412&height=272&smart=true\")
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\nContract Implications<\/h2>\n
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\nFinal Thoughts<\/h2>\n