The Baltimore Orioles are entering a pivotal period in their franchise’s trajectory. After years of rebuilding, the team has shown significant progress, making their first playoff appearance in seven years in 2023. The 2024 season is shaping up to be a crucial one, as the Orioles aim to not only continue their upward trajectory but also compete for championships in the near future.
With the offseason upon us, two questions stand out as the ones that will determine their success next season: Can they sustain their pitching development? and Will they address key areas of the roster to supplement their strong offensive core?
1. Can They Sustain Their Pitching Development?
One of the most striking aspects of the Orioles’ resurgence in recent years has been the remarkable development of their pitching staff. Under the guidance of pitching coach Chris Holt, the team has transformed what was once a glaring weakness into a strength, driven by a combination of emerging young talent and effective coaching. However, the biggest question for the Orioles heading into 2024 is whether they can continue to cultivate their pitchers and build a sustainable rotation that can help them contend year in and year out.
The Rise of the Young Arms
In 2023, the Orioles’ pitching staff was solidified by the emergence of several young arms. The most notable among them was Grayson Rodriguez, their top pitching prospect. After a shaky start to the season, Rodriguez found his rhythm in the second half, showing flashes of the ace potential that made him the No. 1 prospect in the Orioles’ system. If Rodriguez can take the next step and become a consistent front-of-the-rotation starter, it will be a huge boost to the team’s pitching staff.
In addition to Rodriguez, other young pitchers like Kyle Gibson and Dean Kremer stepped up in 2023. Gibson, a veteran right-hander, provided invaluable experience and leadership, while Kremer demonstrated the ability to eat innings and keep the team in games. Kremer, in particular, has developed into a reliable option, with a deep arsenal that keeps hitters off balance. His continued development will be vital in 2024, especially as the team looks to balance out its pitching staff.
But while these arms are promising, the question remains: can the Orioles continue to develop and sustain this young pitching talent? The pipeline of pitchers that includes Rodriguez, Kremer, and several others in the minors gives the Orioles hope, but sustaining that success is never guaranteed. The team will need to ensure that its development program can continue to refine its young arms, protect their health, and provide them with the proper experience to handle the rigors of a full MLB season.
Health and Depth
An equally important factor in the Orioles’ pitching success will be maintaining the health of their pitchers. Injuries can derail even the best of plans, and a team that relies on young pitchers must be especially cautious. The Orioles will need to carefully manage their young arms, limiting their innings and being smart with how they navigate their development. The organization will also need to ensure they have enough depth in the system to cover any potential injuries that could occur throughout the year.
Depth has been a key component of the Orioles’ success in 2023, with players like Tyler Wells and Austin Voth stepping into key roles when necessary. If the team can continue to develop pitchers who are capable of stepping into important situations, they will have a much better chance of navigating the 162-game grind. Furthermore, with pitchers like D.L. Hall and Chayce McDermott waiting in the wings, the Orioles have the potential to continue their trend of bringing up talented young arms.
However, even with a strong farm system, the Orioles may face challenges in terms of roster management. Their pitching staff will need to be more than just a collection of promising young arms—it will need to perform consistently at a high level. If the team does not have a reliable rotation, it could quickly run out of gas over the course of a full season, putting additional pressure on an offense that is already expected to carry a large portion of the load.
The Bullpen
While the rotation has taken center stage, the bullpen has also been a key factor in the Orioles’ success in 2023. Led by closer Felix Bautista, the bullpen has been one of the best in the league in terms of strikeouts and keeping opponents off the scoreboard. However, the Orioles will need to ensure that their bullpen remains strong in 2024. The loss of a key reliever or a decline in performance from some of the team’s core bullpen arms could be devastating, and they will need to address depth in this area as well.
Yennier Cano, Cionel Pérez, and others were important pieces in 2023, but for the Orioles to compete at a high level, their bullpen will need to continue to excel. The front office will have to decide whether to add another reliable arm to the mix, especially if there is any uncertainty about the durability or consistency of their existing relievers. A strong bullpen can be the difference between a playoff run and falling short, so the Orioles cannot afford to overlook this area.
2. Will They Address Key Areas of the Roster to Supplement Their Offensive Core?
While the Orioles have built one of the most exciting offensive teams in the league, their success in 2024 will hinge on whether they can fill the gaps in their roster to complement their powerful lineup. The Orioles boast one of the most dynamic young offenses in the game, with stars like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Ryan Mountcastle leading the charge. However, to make a deep playoff run, the team will need to improve in a few key areas.
Left Field and DH Production
One of the biggest questions for the Orioles heading into 2024 is what they will do in left field and at designated hitter. In 2023, Austin Hays and Anthony Santander were solid contributors in the outfield and at the plate, but there was no real consistency from the left-field position or the DH spot. While Hays provides solid defense and Santander has shown power, the Orioles will need more from these positions if they want to take the next step.
Hays, in particular, will need to show he can stay healthy and produce at a high level consistently. If the Orioles are able to upgrade left field, whether by internal development or through a trade or free-agent acquisition, it would add a significant layer of depth to their offense.
At the DH spot, the team could look to improve as well. While the DH role allows for flexibility, the Orioles will want someone who can provide both power and on-base ability. If they can find a consistent power bat to slot into the DH role, it could take a lot of pressure off their young core.
The Shortstop Position
Another area of concern for the Orioles is shortstop. While Gunnar Henderson is a fantastic young talent and arguably the centerpiece of the franchise’s future, his natural position is third base. The Orioles have already made the move to shift Henderson to shortstop in 2023, and while he has shown the ability to handle the position, questions remain about whether he can be an elite defender at short in the long run.
There’s a chance that the team may look to bolster the shortstop position in free agency, perhaps with a veteran who can stabilize the infield defense while allowing Henderson to move back to third base. If the Orioles can upgrade defensively at shortstop while continuing to rely on Henderson’s bat, they will have a much stronger infield.
Adding Another Impact Bat
While the Orioles’ lineup is deep, they could always use another impact bat. Adley Rutschman has the potential to be one of the top catchers in baseball, while Henderson and Mountcastle provide solid power from the left side. However, adding another bat with a high OPS—particularly someone who can hit for average and provide a spark in the middle of the order—would make the lineup even more formidable. The Orioles will need to be proactive in adding another piece, especially considering the competitive AL East.
The Future Outlook
As the Orioles enter 2024, their overall success will hinge on how well they manage their pitching staff and whether they can strengthen key areas of the roster. With their young stars continuing to develop and the potential for improvement in multiple areas, the team is poised to be a serious contender in the AL East and beyond.
If the Orioles can continue to develop their pitchers, stay healthy, and add the necessary pieces to their offense, there is little doubt that they will be one of the most exciting and competitive teams in the American League. While there are still questions that need to be answered, the future is undoubtedly bright for the Baltimore Orioles. The 2024 season could very well be the year they turn into perennial contenders for years to come.
