The Baltimore Orioles have experienced a remarkable resurgence in recent seasons, with a potent lineup and a developing pitching staff that has seen significant improvement. However, as they prepare for the 2025 MLB season, one area of concern remains—the starting rotation. While the Orioles’ position players, led by the likes of Adley Rutschman, Cedric Mullins, and Ryan Mountcastle, offer a lot of promise, the starting rotation is a significant question mark. Despite making some strides in improving their pitching depth, there is still plenty of uncertainty heading into Opening Day. This uncertainty could play a critical role in determining whether the Orioles can build on their recent success or if they will falter under the pressure of facing more established teams in the American League East.
The Current State of the Rotation
In 2024, the Orioles’ pitching staff was bolstered by a mix of young talent and veteran arms, but the starting rotation remained the most inconsistent aspect of the team. While the bullpen was one of the best in baseball, the starting pitchers often struggled to provide the necessary length and consistency to give the team a chance to win on a daily basis. The Orioles did not have a bona fide ace, and there were numerous times throughout the season when the starters could not get through five innings, leaving the bullpen to pick up the slack.
Heading into 2025, the Orioles have a few promising options in their rotation but still lack the kind of proven depth that is needed to compete with the top teams in the league.
Grayson Rodriguez: The Key to the Rotation
The most hyped pitching prospect in the Orioles’ system over the past several years has been Grayson Rodriguez. The right-hander made his MLB debut in 2023 after dominating at the minor league level, and many expected him to become the staff ace. However, his transition to the majors has been a bit bumpy, as he showed flashes of brilliance but also struggled with consistency. In 2024, Rodriguez started to show signs of his potential, finishing the season with a respectable 3.92 ERA in 27 starts. While his strikeout rate was impressive, his inability to consistently control the strike zone remained an issue, leading to walks and occasional blow-up innings.
As the 2025 season approaches, Rodriguez will need to take a significant step forward. The Orioles are counting on him to emerge as a top-of-the-rotation arm, but his development has been somewhat slower than anticipated. His command and ability to limit free passes will be key to his success. If Rodriguez can take the next step, he could be the anchor the Orioles desperately need. However, if he struggles again with his control and consistency, it could be another long season for the Baltimore pitching staff.
Kyle Gibson and the Veteran Presence
The Orioles made a concerted effort to add veteran depth to their rotation in 2024 by signing Kyle Gibson, who had a solid but unspectacular career. Gibson, a seasoned right-hander, was expected to provide stability and innings. While he did manage to eat up some innings, he was not the reliable mid-rotation arm the team had hoped for. His ERA hovered around 4.60, and while he was able to keep the team in games at times, he had a tendency to be hit hard by opposing lineups, especially those with potent offenses.
As the 2025 season unfolds, the Orioles will likely need Gibson to be more than just a filler in the rotation. With no true ace on the roster, Gibson’s veteran presence could help stabilize the staff, but he will need to find a way to get deeper into games and limit the damage when he faces tough competition. If he continues to struggle with consistency, it could put additional pressure on the bullpen and exacerbate the rotation’s existing weaknesses.
Dean Kremer: A Wild Card
Dean Kremer is another intriguing arm in the Orioles’ rotation. The 27-year-old right-hander has shown flashes of brilliance but has yet to establish himself as a reliable option. His 2024 season was a mixed bag—he posted a solid ERA of 4.22, but his peripheral numbers indicated that he was often fortunate to avoid more serious damage. Kremer has the stuff to be a reliable starter, but his ability to maintain consistency remains an issue.
If Kremer can improve his control and command of his pitches, there is potential for him to be a key contributor in the middle of the rotation. His fastball is capable of generating strikeouts, and his curveball has the potential to be an excellent out-pitch. However, if he continues to struggle with inconsistency, he could easily find himself on the fringes of the rotation, or even in the bullpen.
The Rest of the Rotation: The Uncertainty Continues
The back end of the rotation remains a significant question mark. The Orioles have several options that could fill in these spots, including young arms like Tyler Wells and Austin Voth. Wells showed some promise in 2024, but injuries limited his ability to contribute. Voth, on the other hand, has had a journeyman career and hasn’t demonstrated that he can be a reliable starter at the major league level.
There are also several young pitchers who could be in the mix, such as DL Hall and Chayce McDermott. Hall, in particular, is a tantalizing prospect with high strikeout potential, but his command issues have prevented him from sticking in the rotation. McDermott has shown promise in the minors, but it’s still unclear if he can translate that success to the major league level. For the Orioles to truly feel comfortable heading into 2025, they will need one or more of these pitchers to step up and prove that they can handle a starting role.
The Concerns About Depth
One of the biggest concerns for the Orioles’ rotation heading into 2025 is the lack of proven depth. While they have a few arms with potential, the team has yet to secure that reliable, durable starter who can give the team innings every fifth day. Injuries to key pitchers have also been a problem in recent seasons, and with a relatively young and unproven group, there is a legitimate concern that the team could run out of options if the rotation begins to falter.
The lack of depth in the rotation has been a long-standing issue for the Orioles. Unlike some of the teams that are considered contenders in the American League, such as the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, or Tampa Bay Rays, Baltimore lacks the type of starting pitching depth that can carry them through a 162-game season. As evidenced in recent years, having a strong rotation is crucial to making a playoff run, and the Orioles’ lack of a clear-cut ace and consistent depth could be a major disadvantage in an increasingly competitive AL East.
The Importance of Strong Starting Pitching
The 2024 Orioles bullpen was among the best in baseball, with standout performances from players like Félix Bautista and Yennier Cano. However, even the best bullpens can wear down over the course of a long season if the starters aren’t providing enough length or quality innings. The Orioles’ bullpen cannot continue to shoulder the load of an overworked staff, especially if they are forced to cover multiple innings on a regular basis.
In addition, the AL East is one of the most competitive divisions in baseball, with the defending World Series champion Toronto Blue Jays, the New York Yankees, and the up-and-coming Tampa Bay Rays all vying for playoff spots. To compete with those teams, the Orioles need their starters to be able to limit damage and give the offense a chance to put up runs. Without strong starting pitching, the Orioles could quickly find themselves falling behind in the standings and struggling to keep pace with their division rivals.
What the Orioles Need to Do
The Orioles need to make some tough decisions about their pitching staff before Opening Day. While it’s clear that they have some exciting young arms with potential, the lack of proven depth remains a glaring weakness. The team may need to explore external options, either through trade or free agency, to shore up their rotation.
There are still viable starting pitchers available on the free-agent market, though the Orioles may not have the resources to land a top-tier ace. However, adding a mid-tier starter who can provide stability and innings would be a step in the right direction. Additionally, the Orioles should continue to monitor their young arms closely and ensure they have the necessary development and coaching to succeed at the major league level.
Internally, the Orioles need to focus on developing consistency from their existing pitchers, particularly Grayson Rodriguez, Dean Kremer, and Kyle Gibson. If they can get one or more of these pitchers to step up, it could make all the difference in the team’s rotation.
As the Orioles prepare for the 2025 season, the state of their rotation remains a major concern. While the offense has shown signs of being one of the most potent in baseball, the starting pitching still lags behind. Grayson Rodriguez’s development will be key, but there is uncertainty surrounding the rest of the rotation. With the AL East being one of the most competitive divisions in baseball, the Orioles need to ensure that their pitching staff can hold its own against teams like the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Rays.
For the Orioles to build on their recent success and make a serious push for a playoff spot in 2025, their starting rotation will need to exceed expectations. Whether through internal development or external acquisitions, strengthening the rotation will be the key to unlocking the team’s full potential. Without a reliable and consistent starting staff, the Orioles will continue to face an uphill battle in one of the toughest divisions in baseball. The time to address these concerns is now, as Opening Day draws near.
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