Orioles’ Youth Must Step Up as Season Reaches Critical Stretch
Sportsgrid Staff
Host · Writer
The AL Rookie of the Year
Colton Cowser has solidified his case for AL Rookie of the Year with an outstanding second half, hitting .298/.355/.504 with a 143 wRC+ and seven home runs in 36 games. His performance has been crucial for the Orioles, especially as Adley Rutschman has struggled since July 1, hitting just .190 with a 64 wRC+.
Cowser’s power surge, driven by a more consistent pull approach, has been a critical factor in his success. The Orioles will need him to continue this trend, as they can’t afford Cowser and Rutschman to underperform.
The road ahead won’t be easy for the Orioles. They’re 18-18 since the All-Star break, despite being one of the best teams in the American League before then. With the Twins and Royals closing in on the Wild Card race, the Orioles could see their chances of winning the AL East slip away if their young players don’t step up.
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Dog Days Demand Depth
We’ve reached the dog days of summer, where wins are increasingly challenging to secure. Teams are dealing with mounting injuries and fatigue, making the next five weeks crucial for separating contenders from pretenders. The Baltimore Orioles, in particular, must rely heavily on their young talent to navigate this challenging stretch and possibly go beyond.
The Orioles have been feeling the effects of the grueling 162-game season, and it's starting to show. Before the All-Star break, they boasted a 58-38 record and held a one-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. However, they’ve gone 18-18 since then, remaining just 1.5 games behind first place in the division.
If the Orioles hope to outpace the Yankees and finish strong, they'll need more players to step up—especially their younger stars. Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo, Cade Povich, and Colton Cowser will all play vital roles in this final stretch.
The Orioles' Young Bats
Jackson Holliday's initial stint in the majors was a struggle, with a .059 batting average and a 50% strikeout rate. However, since his return to the big leagues on July 31, he has shown significant improvement, posting a .940 OPS and a 163 wRC+ over his first 15 games. Although he has cooled off recently, his .715 OPS and 101 wRC+ since his return marks a significant turnaround, including a reduced strikeout rate of 29.2%.
This resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time, as some of the Orioles' top contributors from the first half of the season have hit slumps. Gunnar Henderson’s OPS has dropped from .956 to .797 in the second half, while Adley Rutschman has struggled with a .628 OPS during this period. Holliday’s performance will be crucial in determining the Orioles' position in the playoff standings at season's end.
Another young player who could make an impact is Coby Mayo. During his first stint in Baltimore, he struggled with just one hit in 20 plate appearances across seven games. However, since returning to Triple-A, Mayo has been showing promise, going 6-for-21 with a home run and five RBIs. A September call-up could give him a chance to prove his worth.
Given the Orioles' injury-plagued pitching staff, they’ll need to rely heavily on their offense to win games. This makes players like Holliday and Mayo even more critical.
The Orioles' Young Arms
The Orioles have been hit hard by pitching injuries this year, with eight pitchers currently on the injured list, including crucial starters and high-leverage relievers. Cade Povich is one young arm who could help fill the void. His major league career has been a mix of highs and lows, with seven starts where he allowed three earned runs or fewer and three rough outings where he gave up five or more earned runs.
Povich’s main issue has been command. He has been effective in games where he has issued two walks or fewer, posting a 3.86 ERA over 28 innings. However, in games where he walks more batters, his ERA balloons to 9.35. Recently, Povich has shown more aggression in the strike zone, issuing just two walks and striking out nine in his last 11.1 innings. If he can maintain this form, he could be a valuable asset until more Orioles' pitchers return to health.
A Potential September Call-Up
Another pitcher who could help the Orioles down the stretch is Chayce McDermott. As a starter in Triple-A, he has posted a 3.90 ERA in 97 innings, with an impressive 12.90 strikeouts per nine innings. His fastball and slider, both plus pitches, could be particularly effective in a bullpen role.
However, McDermott is currently dealing with a scapula injury and hasn’t pitched since July 30. While there’s hope he could return for a September call-up, the Orioles might opt for caution with their young prospect.
The AL Rookie of the Year
Colton Cowser has solidified his case for AL Rookie of the Year with an outstanding second half, hitting .298/.355/.504 with a 143 wRC+ and seven home runs in 36 games. His performance has been crucial for the Orioles, especially as Adley Rutschman has struggled since July 1, hitting just .190 with a 64 wRC+.
Cowser’s power surge, driven by a more consistent pull approach, has been a critical factor in his success. The Orioles will need him to continue this trend, as they can’t afford Cowser and Rutschman to underperform.
The road ahead won’t be easy for the Orioles. They’re 18-18 since the All-Star break, despite being one of the best teams in the American League before then. With the Twins and Royals closing in on the Wild Card race, the Orioles could see their chances of winning the AL East slip away if their young players don’t step up.
Stay ahead of the game and elevate your sports betting experience with SportsGrid.
Dog Days Demand Depth
We’ve reached the dog days of summer, where wins are increasingly challenging to secure. Teams are dealing with mounting injuries and fatigue, making the next five weeks crucial for separating contenders from pretenders. The Baltimore Orioles, in particular, must rely heavily on their young talent to navigate this challenging stretch and possibly go beyond.
The Orioles have been feeling the effects of the grueling 162-game season, and it's starting to show. Before the All-Star break, they boasted a 58-38 record and held a one-game lead over the Yankees in the AL East. However, they’ve gone 18-18 since then, remaining just 1.5 games behind first place in the division.
If the Orioles hope to outpace the Yankees and finish strong, they'll need more players to step up—especially their younger stars. Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo, Cade Povich, and Colton Cowser will all play vital roles in this final stretch.
