The O’s finished the season 24th in team on-base percentage (.305) and 21st in team OPS (.699). Just about every member of the team’s nucleus regressed, with the exception of 21-year-old Jackson Holliday. A better bill of health would certainly help as well, as Holliday was also the only everyday player who didn’t require a stint on the injured list in 2025.
While some players took a small step back, like Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg, others will need to solidify their spots as everyday players on the roster.
Colton Cowser (.654 OPS) hits the ball hard but strikes out far too much. Adley Rutschman is still the franchise catcher, but the offensive results didn’t reflect that in 2025 (91 wRC+). Heston Kjerstad is a former number two overall pick, but he seems disillusioned in the major leagues.
If Albernaz and his staff can be the new voice that these players, along with youngsters Coby Mayo, Samuel Basallo, and Dylan Beavers, improve with, that would make year one a success – regardless of the team’s record.
Filling Hyde’s Shoes
It’s no secret that Hyde became unpopular in Baltimore towards the end of his tenure with the club, due to its terrible start to the 2025 season. However, it’s fair to contemplate what the team sees in Albernaz that they didn’t already have in Hyde.
Like Albernaz, Hyde is a former minor league catcher who was hired as a manager for the first time with Baltimore. He also operated as a bench coach for a winning team prior to his hiring (Cubs). Hyde led the team through its dark rebuilding days and won Manager of the Year honors in 2023.