Baltimore Orioles Have Potentially Turned Major Weakness Into Strength This Offseason

The Baltimore Orioles’ franchise has been in the midst of a transformational period over the past few years, culminating in the team’s unexpected success during the 2023 MLB season. However, even as the team took a significant step forward, there was still a glaring weakness that threatened to derail their progress: pitching. While their offense had been explosive, the pitching staff, especially in the bullpen and starting rotation, remained an area of concern.

But with the conclusion of the offseason and the beginning of 2024 spring training, there are signs that the Orioles have successfully addressed their most significant weakness and turned it into a potential strength. Through a combination of smart acquisitions, development of internal prospects, and strategic changes, the Orioles could now be poised for a new era of pitching dominance.

This offseason, the Orioles focused on several key areas to bolster their pitching staff. By adding experienced arms, improving their developmental pipeline, and fine-tuning their approach to player development, the organization has potentially set itself up to be a force on the mound for years to come.

A Focus on Starting Pitching: The Key to Success

For years, the Orioles’ starting pitching has been a weak point. In a division that includes perennial juggernauts like the New York Yankees and the Tampa Bay Rays, competing without a reliable rotation was always a challenge. Despite showing significant promise offensively and some flashes of strong pitching, the starting rotation consistently failed to deliver consistent, high-level performances over a full season.

However, Mike Elias, the Orioles’ General Manager, and the front office have made it clear that improving the starting pitching was a top priority. Their strategy during the offseason reflected a keen understanding of the importance of building a sustainable, high-quality rotation. With the addition of a few strategic signings and the continued development of their internal talent, the Orioles may have transformed their starting pitching from a liability into an asset.

Key Offseason Additions

One of the most notable moves the Orioles made in the offseason was the acquisition of veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson. Gibson, a durable pitcher with a wealth of experience, is expected to provide stability to the rotation. In 2023, he posted a solid ERA of 4.73 with over 180 innings pitched for the Philadelphia Phillies. While not a flashy name, Gibson’s ability to eat innings and provide consistent, reliable starts is invaluable for a team looking to improve its pitching staff. His experience and leadership could be a stabilizing influence on the younger pitchers on the roster, providing a sense of reliability for a rotation that has lacked consistency in recent seasons.

Additionally, the Orioles made a key move in signing James Paxton, a left-handed starter who has dealt with injuries in recent years but showed flashes of brilliance when healthy. Paxton, who had a strong 2022 season with the Boston Red Sox, is a high-risk, high-reward signing. If he can stay healthy, he has the potential to be a top-of-the-rotation pitcher. His experience in the American League East, combined with his strong strikeout ability, makes him a valuable addition to the rotation. Paxton’s acquisition underscores the Orioles’ commitment to improving their pitching staff, as they continue to take calculated risks with experienced arms.

Along with these additions, the team also made strides in retaining and developing young talent. Pitchers like Grayson Rodriguez, one of the organization’s top prospects, have been brought into the fold. Rodriguez, who made his MLB debut in 2023, is expected to take a major step forward in 2024. As one of the most highly anticipated pitching prospects in recent memory, his development could serve as the cornerstone for a future pitching staff that could dominate the league. With a fastball that touches triple digits and a devastating slider, Rodriguez’s upside is massive, and he could emerge as the ace of the Orioles’ rotation in the near future.

Another key figure is Kyle Bradish, whose breakout 2023 season provided the Orioles with a glimmer of hope that they might finally have a reliable starter. Bradish showed significant improvement, lowering his ERA and increasing his strikeout rate. With continued development, Bradish could solidify himself as a legitimate top-of-the-rotation arm, complementing the newly added veterans and the young talent like Rodriguez.

Pitching Development and Depth

Beyond the external acquisitions, the Orioles have done an excellent job of developing their internal pitching talent, which could be the key to their future success. The team’s ability to develop pitchers in their minor league system has been a point of emphasis under Elias, and several young pitchers have already begun to emerge as potential contributors. The development of pitchers like D.L. Hall and Chayce McDermott could provide the team with future depth in the rotation.

The team’s approach to pitching development, especially focusing on increasing strikeout rates and improving control, has started to show results. The organization has invested in analytics, biomechanics, and other cutting-edge technologies to improve the way they evaluate and develop pitchers. This investment in player development has the potential to pay huge dividends as these young arms refine their skills and adapt to the demands of the major leagues.

In the bullpen, the Orioles have also made significant strides. The addition of veteran Shintaro Fujinami gives them an experienced reliever who can bolster their late-inning options. Last season, Felix Bautista emerged as one of the most dominant closers in the league, and he should continue to be a key piece of the bullpen in 2024. Alongside Bautista, Yennier Cano and Cionel Pérez offer the Orioles depth and versatility in relief.

A More Balanced Team: Building Around Pitching and Offense

While the Orioles’ offense has been a strength in recent years, particularly with the emergence of young stars like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, the pitching staff has often been the Achilles’ heel. In the 2023 season, the Orioles’ pitching staff ranked 16th in the league in ERA, and while they were above average in some categories, inconsistency plagued the group throughout the year. However, with the additions of Gibson and Paxton and the continued development of the team’s young arms, the pitching staff could finally provide the stability needed to complement the high-powered offense.

The strength of the Orioles’ offense, which ranked 5th in the majors in runs scored in 2023, provides the team with a solid foundation. With young stars like Rutschman, Henderson, and Cedric Mullins, the Orioles have one of the most exciting and potent lineups in the league. If the pitching staff can hold its own and provide a reliable presence throughout the season, the team’s offensive prowess could be enough to elevate them into contention for a deep playoff run.

The ability to combine a high-powered offense with a revamped pitching staff gives the Orioles a balanced approach that could propel them into a new tier of competition. For a team that has been inconsistent for much of the past decade, the 2024 season could mark the beginning of a sustained period of success, where both the offense and pitching work in harmony to make the Orioles a true contender.

The AL East Challenge: Competing with the Best

The American League East remains one of the most competitive divisions in baseball. Teams like the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Toronto Blue Jays are perennial powerhouses, and each has a strong pitching staff to complement its offense. The Orioles, however, have the potential to finally break through in this highly competitive environment.

The team’s offseason moves have positioned them to compete with the best in the division. The Yankees’ pitching staff, though talented, has been injury-prone, and their offense has shown signs of inconsistency. The Rays are always a tough opponent, but their offense is often streaky, and their pitching staff can be vulnerable. The Blue Jays, meanwhile, have a dynamic offense, but their pitching staff is their primary question mark heading into 2024.

If the Orioles’ pitching staff can meet or exceed expectations, they will have the opportunity to outlast these teams over the course of a long season. With a strong offense and a potentially dominant pitching staff, the Orioles could position themselves not only for playoff contention but also for a legitimate shot at winning the AL East title.