With respect to Adam Frazier, Rougned Odor, and Tony Kemp, Baltimore’s young talent has matured to a point where they no longer need a mentor in the clubhouse.
The Orioles added a fringe outfielder on Monday, and fans are still dreaming of a deal for a top of the rotation pitcher. While the Birds could still use a boost on the mound, they appear to be set on the infield dirt.
Baltimore could always acquire additional depth for spring training, but the Orioles already snuck prized waiver claim Liván Soto through waivers. At this point, the O’s appear comfortable proceeding without a veteran infielder pegged to mentor their young talent. Former Oriole Adam Frazier reunited with Pittsburgh yesterday, and I have yet to hear calls for a reunion with Tony Kemp or Rougned Odor.
Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg are all still relatively short on big league experience, but the club no longer needs a veteran player solely for their leadership skills. The decision represents a ringing endorsement of several mature 20-something year old players.
Former waiver claims Ramón Urías (30) and Ryan O’Hearn (31) have stuck around long enough to become the old guys in the dirt. Jorge Mateo (29) and Emmanuel Rivera (28) will both head to camp looking to remain on the big league roster, but there’s no question that the top talent falls on the younger side.
Somehow, Ryan Mountcastle is only 27-years-old. The former first-round pick from Paul J. Hagerty High School feels like he’s been around forever. Mountcastle debuted in 2020 before wallopping 33 homers in his first full season. The heavy hitter survived a bout with vertigo, a devastating renovation to left field, and the surprising emergence of O’Hearn. Could he be poised for a breakout year in 2025?
Baltimore made a slight concession by admitting they “overcorrected” in left field. Now, with the wall returning to a “happy medium,” Mountcastle should be chomping at the bit. The righty tallied only 13 home runs in 124 games last season, but 20+ certainly feels obtainable for a healthy Mountcastle.
Mountcastle developed from a defensive project to an impressive fielder at first base. He slashed .306/.350/.463 over 143 plate appearances against lefties last season, and he boasts a .841 OPS against lefties for his career.
Mountcastle and O’Hearn still possess the ability to combine for the most productive platoon in baseball. O’Hearn routinely batted cleanup against righties last season, but his OPS fell .172 points against southpaws. The Orioles have 44 home runs to replace from a switch hitter, and Tyler O’Neil can’t accomplish the feat by himself. The O’Hearn/Mountcastle platoon should help offset the loss of production.
The Orioles hope 23-year-old Coby Mayo can provide an offensive spark at some point in 2025. Mayo appeared overmatched at the plate in 41 at bats last season, but MLP Pipeline recently named Mayo the 14th best prospect in baseball. Mayo’s struggles left the door open for Baltimore to claim Rivera last August, and the rookie could still begin the season at Triple-A Norfolk, but the Birds still expect big things at the plate.
Mayo’s early struggles may have slowed the hype train, but Colton Cowser flourished in his first full season after a similar experience. Expectations feel relatively timid for one of the club’s top prospects, but a Murderer’s row of Adley Rutschman, Henderson and Holliday will do that to a fanbase. The lack of pressure should provide Mayo an opportunity to develop at his pace.
Fortunately for Mayo, the Orioles have plenty of players that can relate to debuting with expectations. At only 23, Henderson already emits leadership qualities both on and off the field. Rutschman changed the culture the day he walked into the clubhouse, and Holliday carries the weight of a player’s son that produced one of the greatest minor league seasons of all time.
The Orioles no longer need a veteran presence because even their young players are battle tested. Mountcastle, Rutschman and Henderson have all faced different levels of adversity, and all three can help guys like Holliday and Mayo break through in 2025. Baltimore has players like Charlie Morton, Zach Eflin and Gary Sánchez to provide postseason experience, and there’s certainly value in that too, but at this point the culture starts with the former top prospects in their twenties.