With new sluggers and a healthy lineup, the Orioles are poised to erupt. Will they reclaim their explosive 2024 form and dominate baseball?
The Baltimore Orioles are a significantly better team this year than they were last.
After adding superstars Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward, Baltimore added close to 100 home-runs into their lineup -- something that they could've used last season.
Baltimore ranked 21st in team OPS with a .699, as they struggled to find consistent success offensively.
Players such as Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and Adley Rustchman all struggled with injuries, so the offense failed to reach their full potential.
Although the leaders of the team struggled, rookies Dylan Beavers, Samuel Basallo and Jeremiah Jackson showed a lot of promise.
Fast forward a few months, and Baltimore has a dominant lineup, headlined by Henderson, Alonso, Ward, Westburg, Rutschman, and others.
However, the question remains, how good can this offense be in 2026?
We know how poor Baltimore's offense was last season, as they ranked 24th in the league with 677 runs scored. You could attribute that to injury, and losing key contributors like Anthony Santander and Ryan O'Hearn.
However, Baltimore has been known for their lightening hot offense, as they ranked 4th in total runs scored the year prior in 2024 with 786.
There is significant room for growth in Baltimore's lineup, and I believe that by playing their cards right, Baltimore could have a top three offense in all of baseball.
A strategy that many MLB ball clubs are using going forward is having their best hitters bat first and second. You see the Los Angeles Dodgers do it with Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, and I believe that Baltimore could do it with Gunnar Henderson batting leadoff, and Pete Alonso following him.
From there, Baltimore could have whoever they'd like at the three spot, but my choice would be rookie outfielder Dylan Beavers as his 19.0% walk rate displays his elite on base abilities -- perfect to have following Henderson & Alonso.
From there, Baltimore would have their favorite RBI guy at the four hole; someone like Taylor Ward or Adley Rutschman makes sense.
Baltimore could then fill out their lineup with players like Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser, Samuel Basallo, Blaze Alexander and others.
I believe that Baltimore could be up their with Los Angeles and New York for top offenses in baseball, especially after the additions of Alonso, Ward and Alexander.
If Baltimore's offense can regain their 2023-24 form, they could be one of the BEST teams in not just the American League, but in all of baseball.