Next season, the Baltimore Orioles want to have a better rotation of pitchers.

As the Baltimore Orioles approach the 2025 season, the excitement surrounding the team is palpable. After several years of rebuilding, the Orioles have emerged as a competitive force in the American League East. Their offense, led by stars like Adley Rutschman, Cedric Mullins, and Gunnar Henderson, has powered the team to a level of respectability. But for the Orioles to take the next step and become serious playoff contenders, there’s one glaring area that needs improvement: the starting rotation.

The starting pitching staff is often considered the backbone of a championship-caliber team, and for the Orioles, it remains an area that needs significant work. While the offense has shown considerable improvement over the last few seasons, the team’s pitching rotation has been inconsistent. Whether it’s from a lack of depth, injury struggles, or occasional poor performances, the Orioles know that in order to truly compete with the upper echelon teams in the American League, they must improve the quality and consistency of their pitching staff.

In this article, we’ll delve into the state of the Orioles’ starting rotation, evaluate its strengths and weaknesses, and explore how the team can improve its pitching staff for the 2025 season. Additionally, we’ll examine internal candidates who may step up, as well as potential external acquisitions that could solidify the rotation and push the Orioles closer to contention.

Current State of the Baltimore Orioles’ Rotation

As of the end of the 2024 season, the Orioles’ starting rotation showed flashes of promise but lacked consistency. The team leaned on both veteran pitchers and young arms, but many of the starters struggled with depth, consistency, and efficiency. Let’s break down the key components of the current rotation and how they performed in 2024:

1. Grayson Rodriguez

One of the most exciting prospects in the Orioles’ system, Grayson Rodriguez had an up-and-down 2024 campaign. After making his MLB debut in 2023, Rodriguez showed promise but also dealt with inconsistency, especially with his command. However, by the end of the 2024 season, he started to round into form. Rodriguez has a live fastball and a devastating slider, giving him the potential to be the ace of the staff. His biggest challenge will be staying consistent and improving his ability to pitch deep into games, as his high strikeout rates often come at the expense of high pitch counts.

2. Kyle Gibson

Signed to provide veteran leadership and stability, Kyle Gibson was a reliable innings-eater in 2024. He posted a solid ERA and ate up innings, but he struggled at times with control and giving up home runs. While Gibson’s experience and ability to pitch in high-pressure situations were valuable, his lack of dominance makes him more of a back-of-the-rotation type rather than a true frontline starter. In 2025, Gibson will need to keep his ERA low and continue to provide the team with quality innings, but his ceiling is relatively limited compared to some of the team’s younger arms.

3. John Means

After missing most of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery, John Means returned to the Orioles’ rotation in 2024, but he didn’t immediately return to his pre-injury form. Means had success with his fastball and slider earlier in his career, but his performance in 2024 was inconsistent. There were flashes of his old self, but he still struggled to regain the sharpness and control that made him a key part of the team’s rotation. The Orioles will be hoping that a full offseason of recovery and preparation will allow Means to regain his former effectiveness, but there’s still uncertainty surrounding his return to full strength.

4. Tyler Wells

Tyler Wells had a solid 2024 season and emerged as a potential option for the middle of the rotation. He showed an ability to limit hard contact and generate ground balls, making him effective in certain matchups. Wells, however, lacks the dominant stuff of other top-tier pitchers and is often prone to giving up runs when he lacks command. Wells is likely better suited for a back-end rotation spot, and his ability to eat innings while minimizing damage will be important for the Orioles moving forward.

5. Dean Kremer

Dean Kremer, like Wells, was another inconsistent performer for the Orioles in 2024. He showed flashes of brilliance but was inconsistent in his approach. Kremer’s fastball and curveball are his primary weapons, but when he’s off, he struggles to command the strike zone, leading to high walk rates and big innings. Kremer’s biggest challenge is finding consistency, and he will need to improve his control and mental toughness to remain a reliable option in the rotation.

Challenges Facing the Orioles’ Rotation

While the Orioles have some talented arms in their rotation, there are several challenges that must be addressed for the 2025 season.

1. Inconsistency

Perhaps the most glaring issue with the Orioles’ starting rotation in 2024 was its inconsistency. While some pitchers, like Rodriguez and Means, showed flashes of brilliance, they were often unable to maintain that level of performance over a full season. For the Orioles to compete in the brutal AL East, they need their starting pitchers to perform at a high level on a more consistent basis. This means avoiding prolonged slumps and finding ways to recover quickly from poor outings.

2. Injury Concerns

Injuries have plagued the Orioles’ rotation in recent seasons. John Means’ return from Tommy John surgery in 2024 was a positive, but the team still has to navigate the injury history of key players like Means, Rodriguez, and others. With the compressed MLB schedule and the need to protect pitchers’ workloads, the Orioles must find a way to keep their starters healthy and effective throughout the season. Injuries can derail a season, and for the Orioles to contend, they must mitigate this risk by building a deeper rotation and preparing for potential setbacks.

3. Lack of Depth

The Orioles have a solid group of pitchers, but their rotation lacks the depth to weather a full season. If one of their starters goes down with injury or if a pitcher struggles, the Orioles may be forced to turn to their bullpen or to less-established arms. A reliable rotation depth would ensure that the team can withstand injuries or poor performances without a significant drop-off in production. This will be an area where the Orioles’ front office will need to make moves during the offseason.

4. Inability to Go Deep Into Games

A major issue for the Orioles in 2024 was their rotation’s inability to pitch deep into games. Starting pitchers were often pulled after five or six innings, forcing the bullpen to work more than it should. This was particularly evident in high-leverage situations or during playoff runs. The Orioles need pitchers who can consistently work into the seventh or eighth inning, allowing the bullpen to remain fresh and avoid overuse. If the team can rely on their starters to go deeper into games, they will be much more effective over the course of a season.

Improving the Rotation: Potential Solutions

Given the challenges faced by the Orioles’ rotation, there are several potential strategies the team can employ to improve their starting pitching for 2025. These strategies can involve both internal development and external acquisitions.

1. Grayson Rodriguez’s Continued Development

Grayson Rodriguez is the Orioles’ most important pitching prospect, and he has the potential to become the ace of the staff. After a year of adjustment, Rodriguez has the talent to become one of the league’s top starters. The key for him will be to develop greater consistency with his command and pitch deeper into games. With continued work on his fastball command and improving his ability to mix pitches, Rodriguez could be the ace the Orioles need to lead their rotation in 2025.

2. John Means’ Full Recovery

A healthy John Means could make a significant difference in the Orioles’ rotation. If Means can regain his pre-injury form, he could slot in as a solid No. 2 or No. 3 starter, providing much-needed stability. Means’ ability to control the strike zone with his fastball and changeup has always been his strength, and he will need to harness that control to contribute effectively in 2025. His full recovery will be critical for the Orioles’ rotation to be more competitive.

3. Add Depth Through Free Agency

One of the most effective ways the Orioles can improve their rotation is by adding proven arms through free agency. This could be a veteran who can provide innings and leadership, or even a more high-profile pitcher who can serve as a true No. 2 or No. 3 starter. There will be several options on the free-agent market, including pitchers like Jameson Taillon, Lucas Giolito, and Michael Wacha. Adding a pitcher with experience and success in the league would not only bolster the rotation but also provide valuable depth in case of injuries or struggles from existing pitchers.

4. Trade for an Impact Starter

The Orioles have an impressive farm system, and they could use some of their young talent to acquire a top-tier starter via trade. Players like Shane Bieber or Corbin Burnes have been mentioned in trade rumors in the past, and the Orioles could look to make a big splash by acquiring an established ace. A trade for a high-impact starting pitcher would immediately upgrade the rotation and provide the Orioles with a frontline arm capable of competing with the best in the AL East.

5. Develop Internal Options

The Orioles’ farm system is stocked with pitching talent, and some of their young pitchers may be able to contribute sooner than expected. Players like Grayson Rodriguez, Kyle Bradish, and D.L. Hall are all prospects who could potentially add depth to the rotation. If one or more of these young arms can step up and provide effective innings, it would ease the burden on the rest of the staff and provide the team with much-needed depth.