Baltimore Orioles Must Address Key Areas to Be World Series Contenders

The Baltimore Orioles have been on a remarkable journey in recent years, transforming from a rebuilding franchise to a legitimate contender in Major League Baseball. After a few years of heavy losses and low expectations, the Orioles emerged as one of the most exciting teams in 2023, making their first postseason appearance since 2016. With a talented young core, strong organizational depth, and a promising future, the Orioles are poised to continue their ascent. However, to take the next step and become World Series contenders, the team will need to address several key areas in their roster, pitching staff, and overall team strategy. Here are the areas the Baltimore Orioles must focus on to maximize their chances of capturing a World Series title in the near future.

1. Pitching Depth and Acquiring a Top-Of-The-Rotation Starter

The first and most pressing need for the Baltimore Orioles in their pursuit of a World Series is bolstering their pitching staff. While the team has a solid group of young pitchers, there are notable concerns that need to be addressed to ensure sustained success over the course of a playoff run.

The Orioles had a mixed bag of performances from their pitching staff in 2023. While the bullpen was one of the team’s biggest strengths, the starting rotation often lacked the consistency needed for a deep postseason push. Right-hander Kyle Bradish showed flashes of being a front-line starter, and veteran Jack Flaherty was acquired at the trade deadline to provide more stability. However, neither of them fully emerged as the ace the team needs in a postseason series.

To take the next step, the Orioles need to acquire a true ace—a bona fide top-of-the-rotation pitcher who can go toe-to-toe with the best in the league. Whether through free agency or trade, the Orioles should look to add an established star like Shohei Ohtani (if available), or consider other high-caliber pitchers who can bring experience and dominance to a pitching staff that is still learning to compete at the highest levels. A solid front-end starter will give the Orioles the ability to rely on someone to take the mound in a pivotal Game 1 of a playoff series or in a potential World Series game.

Alongside an ace, depth in the rotation is equally important. Injuries and inconsistent performance can derail any team’s championship aspirations, and having a deep rotation allows the team to withstand the inevitable wear and tear of a long season. The Orioles could look to further solidify their pitching staff by acquiring a few additional solid starters or even a reliable middle-of-the-rotation option.

2. Upgrading the Lineup with Power and Run Production

The Orioles’ lineup has been potent, especially when it comes to on-base percentage, contact hitting, and overall team speed. Players like Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Austin Hays offer plenty of promise and skill in getting on base and producing runs. However, to contend for a World Series, the team may need to improve their power numbers and ability to drive in runs in key situations, particularly in the postseason, where the game often tightens up in critical moments.

While the team’s offense ranked among the top in the American League in 2023, it often struggled to produce in high-leverage situations, and its power numbers were not consistently at the level expected from a championship contender. The Orioles will need a few power hitters who can consistently change the game with one swing of the bat—someone who can hit for both power and average, ideally a middle-of-the-order slugger. The addition of a player like this would provide the kind of balance the Orioles need to compete with other heavy-hitting teams in the postseason.

Furthermore, improving against left-handed pitching will be a key area for the Orioles. While their offense was effective against righties, their numbers against left-handed pitchers were notably lower, especially in power categories. The Orioles could target a power-hitting left-handed batter or an established right-handed slugger who could complement their existing lineup and help balance the platoon splits. This could be a trade deadline move or a key acquisition during the offseason.

3. Defensive Consistency and Position Flexibility

Another strength of the 2023 Orioles was their defensive prowess. The team’s infield, especially, has been a major asset, with standout performances from Gunnar Henderson, Jorge Mateo, and others. However, as the team looks to take the next step, continuing to emphasize defensive consistency will be crucial.

The Orioles must maintain their commitment to solid defense at every position. This starts with the up-the-middle players like Mateo, who provides elite defense at shortstop, and Adley Rutschman behind the plate. Rutschman’s framing, game-calling, and blocking skills already make him one of the top catchers in the league. The team should continue to focus on improving their defensive efficiency, as a strong defense can be a difference-maker in close playoff games, where one bad defensive play can swing the momentum of a series.

Moreover, roster flexibility could be an important tool for manager Brandon Hyde, especially in the postseason. The Orioles should ensure they have players who can seamlessly move between different positions. Having position players who can shift around the diamond as needed provides valuable depth, especially when facing injuries or making in-game tactical adjustments.

4. Strengthening the Bullpen for High-Pressure Situations

In 2023, the Orioles’ bullpen was one of their standout features. With power arms like Félix Bautista, Yennier Cano, and others, the team’s bullpen proved itself capable of closing out tight games. However, the Orioles cannot rely solely on their established bullpen pieces. As they approach postseason baseball, where the pressure and stakes intensify, they must ensure that their bullpen can handle the demands of high-leverage situations over an extended playoff run.

One area for improvement is the need for more depth and versatility in the bullpen. Although Bautista and Cano were lights out during the regular season, the Orioles need to ensure they have enough reliable arms in the middle and late innings to handle multiple game situations. Acquiring a veteran arm with postseason experience could prove invaluable for the team.

Additionally, the Orioles could look to add a few more pitchers who can provide long relief in case their starters are unable to go deep into games, which is often the case in the postseason. A bullpen that can provide multiple innings of quality relief, especially during tight, low-scoring games, will help give the team an advantage when facing high-powered lineups in the postseason.

5. Maintaining Player Health and Managing Workloads

Finally, one of the most important aspects of any championship run is player health. The Orioles’ young core is incredibly promising, but they must manage player workloads effectively to ensure their best talent is available for the crucial moments of the season.

The Orioles have a number of young players who have yet to play a full 162-game season. Managing rest days, avoiding overuse of their pitchers, and ensuring that key position players like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson stay healthy will be critical. Given how close the team came to advancing deep into the postseason in 2023, staying healthy throughout the regular season and into the postseason would put them in a strong position to compete for a World Series title.

The Orioles must also be mindful of the mental and physical toll a postseason run can have on players. A good mix of experienced veterans and younger stars can help ensure that the team remains focused and energetic when it matters most. Team cohesion, leadership, and a balanced roster are essential for any World Series contender.