Introduction

The Baltimore Orioles have endured a rollercoaster ride over the years, with many ups and downs as they attempt to return to postseason contention. While the Orioles have made strides in rebuilding their roster, one glaring weakness that remains is their pitching staff, especially their starting rotation. In baseball, a dominant starting pitcher, an ace, is often the difference-maker between success and mediocrity. However, for the Orioles, finding that ace has been elusive.

In the Ace Power Rankings, a measurement of Major League Baseball’s top starting pitchers, the Orioles find themselves absent from the upper echelons. With a rotation that lacks a true front-line starter, Baltimore’s pitching woes have become a significant obstacle in their quest to return to playoff contention. This article will explore the state of the Orioles’ pitching staff, the importance of having an ace, and how the team stacks up in comparison to other contenders.

Section 1: Orioles’ Pitching Struggles Over the Years

The Orioles’ pitching struggles are nothing new. Historically, the team has had one of the weakest rotations in baseball, dating back several decades. In recent years, this issue has only persisted, despite attempts to rebuild and invest in the pitching staff. While the Orioles have been successful in other areas, particularly with their lineup, the mound has been a persistent problem.

Over the years, the team has tried a mix of approaches: from drafting promising pitchers, to signing veterans in hopes of stabilizing the rotation, to rebuilding through the minor leagues. However, this has often led to inconsistent results. In the early 2000s, for example, the Orioles attempted to rely on pitchers like Rodrigo López and Erik Bedard, who showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn’t maintain sustained success. Fast forward to more recent years, and the story hasn’t changed much.

While the Orioles have made significant strides in building up their offense, their pitching has remained a weak point. There have been promising moments, particularly with young arms like Dylan Bundy, who showed potential but ultimately struggled to reach his ceiling. The team has invested heavily in drafting and developing pitchers, such as Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall, but even these prospects have faced setbacks in their development.

The lack of a true ace has often left the Orioles scrambling to fill the void, and without a reliable number-one starter, the team has failed to make a significant playoff push in recent years. An ace is not only crucial for leading a rotation but also for stabilizing the bullpen, as a dominant starter allows other pitchers to take on less pressure. Unfortunately for the Orioles, they’ve never quite had that luxury.

Section 2: The Current State of the Orioles’ Rotation

As of 2025, the Orioles’ starting rotation remains a question mark. While there are a few promising arms, there is no true ace to anchor the staff. The team’s pitching struggles are highlighted in the statistics, as no Orioles starter ranks among the top 10 or even 20 in MLB in key categories like ERA, strikeouts, and WHIP.

Let’s break down some of the key members of the current rotation:

1. Kyle Gibson – A reliable veteran, Gibson has been a steady presence in the rotation, but at best, he is a middle-of-the-rotation arm. His ERA tends to hover around the league average, and while he can give the team innings, he doesn’t have the dominant stuff needed to be an ace. His strikeout rate is low compared to top-tier starters, and he tends to get hit hard in critical situations.
2. Grayson Rodriguez – The highly-touted prospect has shown flashes of brilliance but has also faced growing pains in the majors. His fastball and slider are his best pitches, but his command has been inconsistent. If Rodriguez can find consistency, he has the potential to develop into a front-line starter, but he’s still far from a finished product.
3. Dean Kremer – Another young arm with promise, Kremer has shown that he can compete at the major league level but lacks the overpowering stuff that would make him a true ace. His ERA has fluctuated, and while he has moments where he looks like he could be a key contributor, he often struggles to maintain success over the course of a full season.
4. Tyler Wells – A former Rule 5 pick, Wells has been a solid contributor in the rotation, but his ceiling appears to be that of a back-end starter. His stuff isn’t overpowering, and while he can get by in certain matchups, he lacks the dominance of a true ace.

While there are promising arms within the system, the Orioles are still searching for that one pitcher who can take them to the next level. Teams with aces have a clear advantage in tight division races and postseason matchups, and the lack of a true ace for the Orioles leaves them vulnerable.

Section 3: The Impact of the Lack of an Ace

Having a true ace can have a ripple effect on a baseball team. It not only provides stability at the top of the rotation but also frees up the bullpen by reducing the workload on other pitchers. An ace can dominate in big moments, especially in postseason play, and serve as the backbone of the pitching staff.

For the Orioles, the absence of an ace has left them scrambling. In tight games, especially in late innings, there’s always the concern that the starting pitcher may falter. With no true stopper to go to, the Orioles have been forced to rely on their bullpen more than they would like. This leads to increased fatigue for relievers and greater variability in the team’s performance.

In a tight American League East race, where every win counts, the lack of an ace has hampered the Orioles’ chances. The team may score enough runs to stay in games, but without a reliable ace to shut down opponents, they remain vulnerable. Moreover, in the postseason, where pitching is at a premium, teams with aces have a distinct advantage.

Section 4: The Ace Power Rankings: How the Orioles Compare

The Ace Power Rankings are a tool that MLB analysts use to assess the effectiveness and dominance of starting pitchers across the league. These rankings are based on various factors, including ERA, strikeouts, WHIP, innings pitched, and other advanced metrics. A dominant pitcher, or ace, typically ranks near the top of these lists.

Unfortunately for the Orioles, their pitchers have not ranked highly in the Ace Power Rankings. While some players like Grayson Rodriguez show promise, they are far from being considered in the same conversation as aces like Gerrit Cole, Max Scherzer, or Sandy Alcántara. The lack of a true ace puts the Orioles at a distinct disadvantage when compared to top-tier teams, and it’s a significant gap in their rebuilding process.

Teams like the New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Rays, and Houston Astros have all had established aces in recent years, giving them a clear edge. In contrast, the Orioles find themselves in the middle or lower half of the rankings, a position that reflects their struggles to find consistent, top-tier pitching.

Section 5: Potential Solutions and Future Outlook

The Orioles have options moving forward, but the question is whether they can find a solution to their pitching woes in the short term or if this is more of a long-term rebuild. There are a few potential avenues to explore:

1. Trades – The Orioles could look to acquire an established ace from a team in need of rebuilding. This would require significant resources, but if the Orioles want to make a serious playoff push, adding a frontline starter would be a crucial move.
2. Free-Agent Signings – The upcoming free-agent class includes several pitchers who could provide the stability the Orioles need at the top of the rotation. Signing one of these pitchers could help elevate the team’s chances in the immediate future.
3. Development of Young Arms – Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall are promising, but they need to develop into consistent performers. The Orioles could focus on their growth and hope that one of them can step up to be the ace the team desperately needs.

In the long term, the Orioles will need to continue developing pitching talent and possibly make bold moves in the trade market. If they can find their ace, the Orioles could become a serious contender in the near future.

In conclusion, the Baltimore Orioles’ pitching staff remains a significant roadblock to the team’s success. Despite the promise of some of their young arms, the lack of a true ace has held them back. The Ace Power Rankings underscore this issue, with the Orioles’ pitchers absent from the top of the rankings. However, with strategic moves in trades, free-agent signings, or continued development of young pitchers, the team has the potential to turn this weakness into a strength. Until then, the Orioles will need to find other ways to stay competitive in an increasingly tough American League East.