After an underwhelming 2025 campaign, the Baltimore Orioles have completely revamped their roster.

Baltimore signed free agent slugger Pete Alonso to a five-year, $155 million dollar deal, while also trading for proven power bat Taylor Ward from the Los Angeles Angels. 

With the additions of Alonso and Ward, Baltimore has improved power from the right side of the plate, while also having a few positional logjams.

By signing Alonso, veteran Ryan Mountcastle and second year player Coby Mayo will have limited opportunities at first base. 

Trading for Ward puts a celling on outfielders Tyler O'Neill, Colton Cowser, Dylan Beavers and other prospects like Enrique Bradfield Jr. 

However, unlike last season, Baltimore will have a surplus of above average bats that can play all over the diamond and outfield -- so let's predict Baltimore's batting order for next season against right handed pitching.

Dylan Beavers is due for a breakout year in 2026. In 35 games played last season, Beavers had a disappointing .227 batting average but a .775 OPS, displaying his power and elite on base ability. Beavers' 19% walk rate last season ranked first amongst hitters with a minimum of 130 at bats. Due to Beavers' elite plate discipline and hitting profile, I believe that he would be a terrific fit as Baltimore's leadoff hitter for 2026. 

Batting in the number two spot is none other than Jordan Westburg. Westburg has already shown that he thrives at the top of the order, specifically behind the leadoff hitter. 197 of Westburg's 328 at bats in 2025 came at the number two spot, where he had a .758 OPS and 26 RBI's in an injury riddled season. I expect Westburg to take significant strides in 2026, which is why I believe he should stay at the top of the batting order. 

I was really close to putting Gunnar Henderson at the leadoff spot, but having Henderson in front of Pete Alonso makes too much sense for me. Henderson had his best season in 2024 batting leadoff, but due to the lack of top of the order left handed bats, I elected to keep Henderson batting third for consecutive seasons. In 459 at bats in 2025, Henderson had 13 homers, 59 RBIs with a .281/.362/.440 slash line. With the addition of Alonso, pitchers will be forced to throw more pitches inside the zone when facing Henderson. More pitches in the zone mean more home runs and hits for Henderson in 2026.

The biggest signing in Baltimore Orioles history is going to PRODUCE at the clean up spot. Alonso was actually more effective batting third rather than fourth for New York last season. Nonetheless, Alonso had an .812 OPS with 19 home runs and 67 RBIs at the clean up spot last season. Alonso will now bat behind Gunnar Henderson, creating one of the most electric hitting duos in all of baseball.

I'm going to start this off by saying that I still believe in Adley Rutschman. He is one of the most patient hitters in all of baseball and does a tremendous job at protecting the plate. I believe that Rutschman batting behind Alonso will generate more opportunities with runners in scoring position to where Rutschman can use his patient hitting technique to advance runners. 2026 will be a make or break year for Rutschman.  

Top prospect Samuel Basallo will take the league by STORM in 2026. Basallo has a very diverse skillset at the plate due to his pure power and ability to hit to all parts of the field. Basallo will have a lot of opportunities to drive in runs this season if he bats in the middle of the order. The top prospect has already shown that he can deliver big hits in big moments, like when he hit a walk off home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers. I believe Basallo will have a very productive 2026 campaign. 

Recent addition Taylor Ward will provide elite power towards the bottom of Baltimore's order. Ward was tied for 10th in total home runs last season with 36, and I believe he is due for another big season in 2026. Ward is one of a few right handed power bats that Baltimore has, so there are a bunch of possibilities for Ward in 2026 in the batting order. 

Like Rutschman, Colton Cowser is entering a pivotal season for his career. After being second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2024, Cowser had an extremely disappointing season in 2025. Cowser saw his OPS drop 113 points last season, but the upside is still promising. Cowser's pure power has been displayed numerous times throughout his major league career, and I believe that Cowser will have a big bounce back season in 2026 -- at the bottom of the order, however. 

And to round things off, I have Jackson Holliday batting in the nine spot for Baltimore in 2026. Holliday was tasked with the duty of being Baltimore's leadoff hitter last season, where he saw inconsistent success. Some months were really good for Holliday, while other months were poor. I believe that Holliday will thrive out of the nine spot, as he will have less stress while having elite hitters in front of him. Holliday is a tremendous base runner, so if he can get on base out the nine spot for Baltimore, I expect him to score a lot of runs in 2026.