The energy around Baltimore is all positive right now.
Baltimore Orioles utility man Blaze Alexander can hardly contain his excitement as March 26 gets closer, and his energy heading into Opening Day at Camden Yards is exactly what this team needs right now.
Alexander, who was traded to Baltimore from the Arizona Diamondbacks just before spring training, has been doing his homework on what it means to play in front of the Birdland faithful on the biggest day of the year.
He has watched videos of past Orioles openers and already knows about the traditions that come with that first game at Camden Yards.
"I've heard about the Opening Day ceremonies in Baltimore, the orange carpet that gets pulled out," Alexander said.
"That stuff gets me excited. … I'm ready to go to war with this group of guys."
Alexander's Role With the 2026 Orioles
The 26-year-old was brought in to serve as a super-utility player, but injuries to key starters have pushed him into a much bigger role than anyone expected.
Second baseman Jackson Holliday fractured his right hamate bone earlier in spring training, and third baseman Jordan Westburg is dealing with a partial UCL tear in his right elbow.
That means Alexander is in line to start at either second or third base on Opening Day against the Minnesota Twins, and he is not worried about where exactly he ends up.
"That's not up to me," Alexander said. "Second, third, outfield somewhere, it don't matter. Put me in the lineup, and I'll be ready to go."
He has shown his versatility throughout camp, even starting in center field during the Orioles' 3-2 win over the Blue Jays on March 18, where he went 1-for-3 with an RBI.
Through 12 Grapefruit League games, Alexander is hitting .267 with a .353 on-base percentage as the Orioles sit at 9-11-3 in spring training.
Why the Orioles Have Lofty Expectations
Baltimore's front office went all-in this offseason to make sure the roster is built for a deep October run, and the moves have completely reshaped the team's outlook after a disappointing 75-win campaign in 2025.
The Orioles signed first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal, traded for outfielder Taylor Ward and right-hander Shane Baz, re-signed Zach Eflin and brought in closer Ryan Helsley to lock down the ninth inning.
With Gunnar Henderson leading the way at shortstop, Adley Rutschman behind the plate and top prospect Samuel Basallo ready to contribute, the lineup has the kind of depth that can compete with anyone in the American League East.
The rotation is loaded too, with Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Baz, Chris Bassitt and Eflin giving Baltimore one of the strongest five-man groups in baseball.
Alexander sees it the same way, and he is not shy about saying it.
"Easily a playoff team," Alexander said. "We haven't even really played games where we have everyone all together, and I think when we're in Baltimore, and we kind of look around the locker room, I think we're gonna be a real confident team."
With prospects like Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Samuel Basallo waiting in the wings and a roster full of veterans who know how to win, there is good reason to believe Alexander's confidence is backed by something real.
Opening Day at Camden Yards is set for March 26 at 3:05 p.m. EST against the Twins, and Alexander will be ready to go.