Notable Additions: Craig Kimbrel, Corbin Burnes, Nick Maton
Notable Losses: Kyle Gibson, Jack Flaherty, DL Hall
The Orioles hit 100 wins for the first time since 1980. Fun fact, the 1980 Orioles didn’t even make the playoffs. The 2023 Orioles did make the playoffs, winning 101 games and the AL East before being swept by the eventual champion Texas Rangers in the ALDS. Even though they didn’t win a playoff game, the Orioles have much to be excited about heading into 2024.
Projected Starters
C: Adley Rutschmann
1B: Ryan O’Hearn
2B: Jordan Westburg
3B: Ramon Urias
SS: Gunnar Henderson
LF: Austin Hays
CF: Cedric Mullins
RF: Anthony Santander
DH: Ryan Mountcastle
In 2023, the O’s ranked 12th in OPS and 17th in home runs as a team. Everyone listed above had an OPS above .700. This year, the O’s average age of their starting lineup is about 27 years old. Many of these players will be due for a contract soon, and it will be interesting to see how many of them are resigned. With new ownership, I think most of them will be extended. But for now, I give their hitting a respectable 8/10.
Projected Starting Rotation
Corbin Burnes
Grayson Rodriguez
Dean Kramer
Kyle Bradish
John Means
Last season, the O’s pitching ranked 7th in ERA as a team. Of their starters, Bradish was the only one with an ERA below 4.00. They weren’t satisfied, so they went out and acquired Corbin Burnes from the Brewers. John Means is returning from Tommy John surgery to provide a boost, and Grayson Rodriguez still has good potential. Overall, this is a solid rotation, especially with the addition of Corbin Burnes. I give their pitching an 8/10.
The O’s bullpen was fantastic in 2023. Felix Bautista, Yennier Cano, and Danny Coulombe were all lights out for Baltimore in 2023. Unfortunately, Bautista needed Tommy John near the end of the season and will miss all of 2024. The signing of Craig Kimbrel should make the O’s bullpen more than serviceable during their 2024 campaign. I give their bullpen an 8/10.
Sock’s 2 X-Factors
Adley Rutschmann: Rutschmann has lived up to the hype of being the number one overall selection in the 2019 MLB draft. Last season, he hit .277/.374/.435 with 20 home runs and a 127 WRC+. He is a highly patient batter at the plate and an excellent defender. He doesn’t hit the ball extremely hard but doesn’t chase or whiff on his swings. Rutschmann also draws walks and only strikes on occasion. Orioles fans should be excited about him for the next 3 or more years.
Corbin Burnes: The former Cy Young winner makes his way to Queen City. In 2023 with the Brewers, Burnes put up a 3.39 with 200 strikeouts and a league-leading 1.07 WHIP. He had a career-low 9.3 K/9 yet was still dominant. He didn’t give up many hard hits and had one of the best pitching run values in the league. At 29 years old, the O’s got this man in his prime.
Sleeper: Gunnar Henderson: In his rookie year, Henderson hit .255/.325/.489 with 28 home runs and a 123 WRC+. He has a tremendous left-handed swing and puts a lot of power into his swings, ranking in the 95th percentile for hard-hit percentage. Entering his age-23 season, I expect a big year from Gunnar Henderson.
Prospects to Look Forward To
Jackson Holliday: The number one overall prospect in baseball, Jackson Holliday is poised to be one of the greats in major league baseball. In 2023, he hit .323/.442/.499 with 12 home runs. Some refer to him as the best-hitting prospect in baseball. He can draw walks, he has proven he can hit for power, and he plays good defense. The Orioles have a great player in the making who should probably see the field in 2024.
Coby Mayo: Drafted in the 2020 MLB draft, Coby Mayo is a 6’5″ third baseman who has shown similarities to Austin Riley. Last season, Mayo hit .290/.410/.563 with 29 home runs. There is a real chance he will play third or first base for the Orioles in 2024.
GM For a Day
Adley Rutschmann and Gunnar Henderson’s extensions need to be signed. The O’s are finally turning a huge corner, and not locking down your cornerstone pieces would be a mistake. This team won 101 games and needs guys like Rutschmann and Henderson to lead the way for the rest of the decade.
Projected Finish: 94-72, 1st in the AL East, 1st seed in the AL
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