Two years ago, the Baltimore Orioles lost 110 games. In 2023, Baltimore not only won 101 games but also the division and made the postseason for the first time in years. The bar has been raised for the Orioles in 2024. So far, the Orioles have delivered, signing veteran closer Craig Kimbrel and trading for former Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes. With so many talented players under contract for this year and beyond, it will be interesting to see how they make their roster moving forward. That will impact their ability to replicate last year’s success, especially building on it.
With spring training just a few days away, these are the questions the Orioles need answered before Opening Day.
3 Most Pressing Questions for the Orioles
Where will Jackson Holliday Begin the Year?
It is only fitting that if a team has a whirlwind season, their top prospect should, too. That is precisely what Jackson Holliday did in 2023. Baseball’s #1 prospect began the season with Single-A Delmarva and ended it with Triple-A Norfolk after four minor league promotions. Orioles general manager Mike Elias has clarified that the top prospect will have every opportunity to make the Opening Day roster. It is possible that Holliday starts the season in Triple-A and gets called up at some point during the season.
Which Position Is Everyone Playing?
There is no question that the Orioles have a lot of depth and versatility on their roster. But with so much depth and versatility comes a lot of congestion. With the departure of Adam Frazier, his left-handed presence may not be replaced by a true second baseman. However, Jordan Westburg took a more prominent role in playing time at second and third base, cutting into Frazier’s and Ramón Urías‘s playing time.
Besides that, the Orioles have a cast similar to last season’s. Austin Hays, Cedric Mullins, and Anthony Santander will be staples in the outfield. Ryan Mountcastle and Ryan O’Hearn can get away with those two at first. Adley Rutschman and James McCann will be behind the plate. Then there is reigning American League Rookie of the Year, Gunnar Henderson, Westburg, Urías, and Jorge Mateo. All four of those players can play just about anywhere on the infield.
If the Orioles want more offesnive upside from the other side of the plate, Joey Ortiz can provide that. Coby Mayo is also a potential power-hitting third baseman who could make his big-league debut this year. With a lot of depth and a pool of prospects, Baltimore has some decisions to make during spring training.
Will the Orioles Make Any Last Minute Moves?
The Orioles made two key additions to their bullpen and starting rotation. The Burnes trade filled a significant hole in the rotation, and the team added a veteran closer in Kimbrel to take over for the injured Félix Bautista. There is still time for the Orioles to make another move, but there likely won’t be another big move before Opening Day. The trade deadline is July 30th, and Baltimore has the prospects to make a trade if they need to. But the Orioles likely want to see their team in action before they make any more acquisitions.
Looking ahead to Spring Training
There is a lot of excitement for the Orioles this season, but the AL East champs set a high bar for themselves in 2024. Spring Training is just a few days away, and there are still questions that the Orioles need to answer. With Opening Day a little over a month away, Baltimore has time to get answers and set their roster before their title defense begins.
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