Jordan Westburg Will Be Key to the Baltimore Orioles' Success In 2027

For much of the 2026 regular season, the Baltimore Orioles were seen as a contender to make the postseason, until they fell short in the final weeks of the year. 

Baltimore’s roster gave any reason to believe that would be the case. On top of owning a productive pitching staff, the team added slugger Pete Alonso to a lineup that has high upside to be among the league’s best — though that ended up not being the case.

Aside from Alonso’s stellar first season in Baltimore, several hitters in the Orioles’ lineup fell short of expectations in 2026, including Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday. However, one bat in particular that could have provided a spark to that batting order did not see the field in 2026, but presents himself as a key piece of the team in 2027.

Jordan Westburg, an infielder who primarily plays second and third base and has been key for Baltimore when he is healthy, is an addition to their lineup the Orioles are more than stoked to get back next season.

Westburg came onto the scene in 2023 and immediately was integral to the team in a year where the Orioles finished the regular season as the American League’s top seed. From 2023-2025, Westburg has been consistently productive, despite his season-high in games played being 107.

However, just before the 2026 season in May,  Westburg underwent Tommy John surgery on his right elbow, which held him out for the entirety of the 2026 season. The 27-year-old is expected to be fully healthy heading into next year’s spring training.

At second base in 2026, the Orioles saw their second baseman record a 76 wRC+ over the year, which is well below the league average. The position was primarily held by Jackson Holliday, Jeremiah Jackson and Blaze Alexander, who saw more success at third base in the second half of the year.

Westburg has the capability to solve that issue. After a decent campaign in his rookie year in 2023, Westburg took a leap in 2024, posting a 125 wRC+ and hitting 18 home runs in the 107 games he played. He also posted a career-best 2.7 fWAR that year.

In 85 games played in 2025, Westburg continued that consistent production. He hit 17 home runs, posted a productive 115 wRC+ and accumulated a 1.9 fWAR.

Westburg has proven that he is key to the Orioles, but he has been injury-prone in his career, sparking concern. But when he is healthy, he can be plugged into the Orioles’ lineup and make an instant impact, which the Orioles will be counting on in 2027.