Rutschman & Henderson Are Driving The Orioles’ Incredible Turnaround
The Orioles ended below 500 for the fifth straight year, and for the fourth time in that stretch, they were last in the AL East division.
The Orioles ended below 500 for the fifth straight year, and for the fourth time in that stretch, they were last in the AL East division.
The Baltimore Orioles were baseball’s worst team just two seasons ago. The 2021 season saw Baltimore’s third consecutive season (out of four) with 100 or more defeats. The Orioles ended below 500 for the fifth straight year, and for the fourth time in that stretch, they were last in the AL East division.
Although the Orioles’ farm system included some talented prospects at the time, none anticipated that they would be a competitive club in 2023. The Orioles would be division champions for the first time in almost ten years if the season ended today. Still, virtually overnight, Baltimore has emerged as one of the best teams in Major League Baseball.
The turnaround in fortunes for Baltimore can primarily be attributed to two young stars: rookie third baseman Gunnar Henderson and All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman.
Rutschman: The catching position’s future
Without Rutschman, the versatile backstop who has developed into a standout player in just his second MLB season, it’s safe to argue that the Orioles, who had the best record in the American League before playing Tuesday at 62-38, would not be where they are today.
The first overall choice in the 2019 MLB Draft, Rutschman, was selected to his first All-Star squad this year and even took part in the T-Mobile Park Home Run Derby. The switch-hitting catcher leads the majors in walks and has slugged 13 home runs in 2023, matching his total from his debut season 2022.
Due to his already significant value to the team, Rutschman is playing this season on a cheap $734,000 deal, but you can bet Baltimore will want to sign the 25-year-old long-term this winter.
Henderson: Another outstanding newcomer
Despite that, Henderson wasn’t selected first overall, but he has been fine becoming a key component of the Orioles’ young core.
Henderson joined Baltimore this season as a regular after making his MLB debut in August 2022. The 22-year-old has hit 16 home runs, one fewer than the club lead, and will likely conclude the year as the best rookie in the American League.
Baseball’s best farm system has been developed by the Orioles, who also have more excellent prospects on the way. The headliner of this bunch is shortstop Jackson Holliday, who was selected first overall in the 2022 draught and is the son of former MLB player Matt Holliday.
With young players like these emerging, Baltimore- which has not yet had a championship-caliber team since 1983- may soon experience it.
