Two New Year’s Goals for the Baltimore Orioles in 2025

As the calendar turns to 2025, the Baltimore Orioles are poised for a promising season. After a long period of rebuilding, the team has shown flashes of brilliance, with a talented roster that could finally bring the franchise back to prominence. However, in order to truly elevate their status and ensure sustained success, the Orioles must focus on two key goals for the year ahead: strengthening their pitching staff and maintaining their offensive depth.

1. Strengthening the Pitching Staff

Over the past few years, the Orioles have largely focused on developing their young position players and hitting prospects. Players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Ryan Mountcastle have become cornerstones of the team’s lineup, showing that the club has a solid foundation on offense. However, while the hitting side of things has seen rapid improvement, the pitching staff has remained inconsistent, and this disparity is one of the key factors holding the team back from true contention.

In 2025, the Orioles’ first goal should be to strengthen their pitching staff, particularly their starting rotation. While Baltimore’s bullpen has been one of the bright spots in recent years, the starting pitchers have not consistently been able to deliver deep outings. This issue, which has plagued the franchise for years, needs to be addressed head-on to make the Orioles a legitimate playoff contender.

Key Areas for Improvement

1. Investing in Proven Starting Pitchers
   The most straightforward path to improving the rotation is to acquire proven pitchers either through free agency or via trade. While the Orioles have developed a number of young pitchers in their system, including Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall, these players are still in the process of developing consistency at the major league level. They will likely improve over time, but relying on young, unproven pitchers to carry the staff in the high-stakes games of 2025 might be too much to ask.

Baltimore’s front office should look to add at least one or two established starting pitchers. Whether through the trade market or signing a free agent, adding pitchers who can provide stability and veteran leadership would be an invaluable asset. A solid top-of-the-rotation arm, someone with playoff experience and a proven track record, would go a long way in bolstering the Orioles’ chances in 2025. This could be a veteran pitcher with a good balance of strikeouts and ground balls, something that fits the Orioles’ defensive setup.

2. Developing Internal Talent
   In addition to adding external talent, the Orioles must continue to nurture their internal pitching prospects. Grayson Rodriguez, one of the most highly touted prospects in recent memory, is expected to be a key member of the rotation in 2025. If he can stay healthy and develop further, he has the potential to be the ace the team has been missing for years. His ability to generate strikeouts with his fastball and slider combination could make him a force in the rotation.

Moreover, DL Hall, with his electric stuff, remains an intriguing option, but he must develop better control and consistency. If both Rodriguez and Hall can become reliable pitchers, the Orioles’ rotation could be in much better shape. Baltimore should continue to provide these young pitchers with the coaching, support, and resources needed to refine their craft and become reliable options in the starting five.

3. Improving Pitching Depth and Strategy
   While the Orioles’ bullpen has shown significant promise in recent seasons, with arms like Félix Bautista becoming dominant forces, they need to build on that success to ensure pitching depth across the roster. The bullpen is vital to a team’s overall success, especially when the starting rotation is prone to inconsistencies. By investing in more depth and versatility within the bullpen, the Orioles can ease the burden on their starting pitchers and potentially develop a more balanced approach to pitching. This would also allow for greater flexibility in terms of matchups, giving manager Brandon Hyde more options in tight games.

The Orioles also need to emphasize advanced pitching analytics and strategy to extract the best from both their veteran pitchers and young talents. A strong emphasis on pitch design, usage patterns, and developing elite breaking pitches could help boost pitchers’ performance across the board.

2. Maintaining Offensive Depth

The second major goal for the Orioles in 2025 is to maintain their offensive depth. As mentioned, Baltimore has already established an impressive offensive lineup, with young hitters like Rutschman and Henderson leading the charge. These players have the potential to be stars for years to come. However, in order to maintain success, the team will need to ensure that their lineup remains strong, deep, and versatile across all areas.

Key Areas for Improvement

1. Sustaining the Growth of Young Stars
   Adley Rutschman, as one of the top young catchers in baseball, is expected to continue his ascent in 2025. After a solid rookie season, Rutschman will need to refine his power numbers and continue to be a catalyst for the offense. With his strong plate discipline, Rutschman is already one of the most complete hitters in the lineup. However, his ability to take over games with both his bat and his leadership behind the plate will be crucial for Baltimore.

Gunnar Henderson is another cornerstone of the future. His growth as both a hitter and a defender in 2025 could be pivotal in the Orioles’ playoff aspirations. The more that Henderson can unlock his power and improve his contact skills, the greater the offense will be as a whole.

While these young players are exciting, they are still early in their careers, and consistency will be key to their development. For the Orioles to maintain offensive depth, they must continue to surround these players with solid hitters who can complement their abilities and provide protection in the lineup.

2. Ensuring Depth Through Free Agency or Trades
   While the core of the lineup appears set, the Orioles should continue to build depth by adding additional offensive pieces. While they have a strong young core, they need players who can step up when injuries or slumps inevitably occur. This means adding reliable hitters who can contribute both in the starting lineup and off the bench. Depth is essential for maintaining a potent offense over the long 162-game season.

The Orioles should look to sign players who provide versatility—someone who can hit for power and average but also play multiple positions. This would provide the Orioles with depth at all spots on the diamond, especially as players like Rutschman, Henderson, and Mountcastle progress and may need more rest days as they enter the prime of their careers.

Another area of emphasis should be improving their offensive approach against left-handed pitchers, as the team has struggled in this area in the past. Acquiring a few hitters who excel against left-handed pitching would provide balance, ensuring that the offense remains potent regardless of the handedness of opposing pitchers.

3. Improving Situational Hitting and On-Base Percentage
   The Orioles need to focus on improving their situational hitting, particularly in high-leverage situations. While they possess plenty of power, making the most of runners in scoring position and reducing strikeouts will be essential. In 2025, a greater focus on improving on-base percentage (OBP) and contact hitting could allow them to be a more consistent offense. Balancing power with smart baserunning and the ability to string together multiple hits will serve them well in both the regular season and postseason.
4. Developing Homegrown Talent
   In addition to acquiring external talent, the Orioles should continue to invest in their minor league system. With prospects like Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad on the horizon, Baltimore has a pipeline of talent that could support their offense for years to come. These players have the potential to fill out the roster and contribute immediately, further deepening the team’s offensive attack.