The 2025 Season: A Disappointing Year for the Baltimore Orioles

The 2025 season was a tough one for the Baltimore Orioles, and while it wasn’t entirely unexpected that their low-ceiling rotation—built on aging veterans, unknowns, and makeshift solutions—wouldn’t hold up, what stood out was the struggles of the team’s offense. Despite having a roster filled with young talent, many players underperformed, raising concerns about the future of the franchise.

Coby Mayo had a particularly poor season, with his performance so lackluster that questions about his long-term potential now loom large. Colton Cowser, another key player, hit just .196 at the plate, with a strikeout rate of 35.6%. Gunnar Henderson, who was already dealing with a shoulder injury, saw his performance suffer as a result. These challenges were not isolated; several other players failed to meet expectations in various ways.

While additions like Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward are expected to provide some stability, the team’s success will ultimately depend on the development of its younger players. Alonso and Ward bring experience and proven track records, but without significant contributions from the likes of Jackson Holliday and others, the Orioles may struggle to compete consistently.

Offensive Struggles and Key Metrics

Looking at the numbers, the Orioles’ offensive output was below average across multiple categories. They hit 191 home runs, which ranked them 11th in the league, but they also finished 24th in runs scored (677), 24th in batting average (.235), and 21st in OPS (.699). These statistics highlight the need for improvement, especially if the team hopes to make a playoff run in the near future.

At the heart of this challenge is Jackson Holliday, whose performance could be the deciding factor in whether the Orioles can turn things around. As the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft, Holliday has faced immense pressure, especially given his family background. His father, a seven-time MLB All-Star and former batting champion, adds another layer of expectation to his already high-stakes debut.

Holliday made his major league debut at just 20 years old, and the weight of those expectations was evident during his first season. In 2024, he struggled through 60 games, posting a .189/.255/.311 slash line with a 62 wRC+. While his 2025 season showed some improvement—ending with a .242/.314/.375 slash line and a 96 wRC+—it still fell short of what was expected from a top prospect.

The Road Ahead for Holliday

Holliday isn’t just expected to be an average performer; he’s seen as a potential superstar. Alongside Gunnar Henderson, he’s one of the few young players who could carry the offense. However, the team is still trying to determine if Jordan Westburg can elevate his game or if Dylan Beavers can translate his impressive walk rates into more consistent production.

The combination of Alonso, Henderson, and Ward has the potential to form a strong lineup, but without additional support, the Orioles may not be able to make a serious playoff push. That’s where Holliday comes in. His growth over the past year has been notable. He reduced his strikeout rate by nearly 7 percentage points from the first half to the second half of the 2025 season, dropping from 24.7% to 17.4%, while increasing his walk rate from 5.4% to 13%.

Holliday also joined an elite group in Orioles history, showing not only talent but also the character and work ethic needed to succeed at the highest level. At just 22 years old, he still has room to grow, and a breakout season in 2026 could be the key to the Orioles making a playoff run in the competitive AL East.

If Holliday takes that next step, it could be the catalyst the team needs to finally return to contention. If not, the Orioles may find themselves struggling with too many weaknesses in their lineup to realistically compete.