The Orioles: Their Rise to Prominence in Major League Baseball

(Article image creds: Paul Rutherford/Getty Images)

Originally published May 22nd, 2023, for Kill That Noise

The Baltimore Orioles are currently one of the hottest teams in baseball and have one of the brightest futures in baseball. The Orioles, who went 47-115 in 2018, have a bright future and barely missed the playoffs in 2022 after going 52-110 in 2021. Having a bright future had to start somewhere–the Orioles have had the number one selection in the draft twice since 2019. Those two number-one picks were catcher Adley Rutschman and shortstop Jackson Holliday. If that name sounds familiar, Jackson is the son of former MLB all-star outfielder Matt Holliday.

Rutschman started off his career strong; he hit 13 home runs, 42 RBI, and hit for a batting average of .254 in 113 games in his rookie season. He finished 12th in the American League MVP race and second in the AL Rookie of the Year race. In his 2nd MLB season, the catcher shows that he is a young leader of the Orioles’ franchise for years to come.

With a young core, having players like infielder Gunnar Henderson will only help the Orioles. However, Henderson, off to a slow start in his Major League career, has shown tremendous numbers in the minor leagues. Before getting called up in 2022, the Orioles infielder hit 19 home runs and 76 RBI, with a hit for a .297 average.

Outfielder Cedric Mullins has had impressive numbers in the Major Leagues. Mullins, who entered the league in 2018, did not get significant playing time until 2021 when he played in all but three games and made the All-Star Game.

The Orioles narrowly missed the playoffs in 2022. With players like Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutschman, the franchise is now bound for its first playoff berth since 2016 and its first AL East division title since 2014.