The Orioles celebrate opening day Thursday as this year’s team looks to get off to a good start and rebound from a down season.This year comes with high expectations for the team, and the pressure is on to return to playoff contention. This pressure will be felt across the club, but a couple of players and coaches will feel it more than others. The success of this season could come down to how a few key players perform and the overall health of the team, which has already become an issue before the season even started. Here is a look at three Orioles facing the most pressure this season:Adley RutschmanAs part of the Orioles’ young core, Adley Rutschman will have the spotlight on him this season, as his play over the past couple of seasons needs to improve. The former No. 1 overall pick was supposed to be a generational talent behind the plate but has struggled since his All-Star appearance in 2024.He was not healthy last season and only played in 90 games for the Orioles, hitting only .222. Fans could see he was visually upset with himself at the plate last season, and patience is running thin. He is a victim of his early success and will need to capture his form that was the catalyst for the Orioles’ rebuild.The development and long-term signing of prospect catcher Samuel Basallo has also put pressure on Rutschman. If Basallo shows he can take over full-time behind the plate this season, Rutschman could become a trade option. He is scheduled to become a free agent in 2028, and the Orioles may be hesitant to keep two high-profile catchers. This season will be make-or-break for Rutschman and could determine his future with this franchise. Craig AlbernazIt may be surprising to see the Orioles’ rookie manager make this list, but he will be under a lot of pressure due to the circumstances he inherited. The high expectations for this club could be detrimental to Craig Albernaz, as he will not be given a fair shot at figuring out the job. How much patience will the front office have if the Orioles struggle to start the season? Is he already on the hot seat, even before his first game? Most likely, there will be some leeway, especially early on in the season, when Albernaz is still getting his feet wet. He was a highly sought-after manager this offseason and was considered a good hire by most. This will grant him some patience from the ownership, but there have to be signs of progress this season. On paper, this team is much improved from last year, so there is room to grow.They may not be ready to be wire-to-wire division champs, but they should be in wild card contention this year. Albernaz knows anything else would be considered a failure, even for a rookie manager.Ryan HelsleyThe Orioles’ new closer leads a revamped bullpen that most feel is the weakness of this team. Ryan Helsley needs to have a bounce-back season, as he struggled after being traded to the New York Mets. It was thought that he may have been “tipping” or giving away his pitches with the Mets, which was the reason for his career-worst 7.20 earned run average in 22 games. He was effective with the St. Louis Cardinals last season before the trade and was one of the best closers in baseball from 2022 to 2024. The bullpen is the biggest question about the team heading into the season. It will be without setup man Andrew Kittredge for start the season with shoulder discomfort, and it is hoping for better years from arms like Yennier Cano and Keegan Akin. Helsley could be just a temporary fix as former Orioles closer Félix Bautista recovers from shoulder surgery. He has started his rehab with a throwing program during spring training and could be an option to return late in the season. For now, Helsley is the guy unless he shows that his time with the Mets was not a fluke.
BALTIMORE —
The Orioles celebrate opening day Thursday as this year’s team looks to get off to a good start and rebound from a down season.
This year comes with high expectations for the team, and the pressure is on to return to playoff contention. This pressure will be felt across the club, but a couple of players and coaches will feel it more than others.
The success of this season could come down to how a few key players perform and the overall health of the team, which has already become an issue before the season even started. Here is a look at three Orioles facing the most pressure this season:
Adley Rutschman
As part of the Orioles’ young core, Adley Rutschman will have the spotlight on him this season, as his play over the past couple of seasons needs to improve. The former No. 1 overall pick was supposed to be a generational talent behind the plate but has struggled since his All-Star appearance in 2024.
He was not healthy last season and only played in 90 games for the Orioles, hitting only .222. Fans could see he was visually upset with himself at the plate last season, and patience is running thin. He is a victim of his early success and will need to capture his form that was the catalyst for the Orioles’ rebuild.
The development and long-term signing of prospect catcher Samuel Basallo has also put pressure on Rutschman. If Basallo shows he can take over full-time behind the plate this season, Rutschman could become a trade option. He is scheduled to become a free agent in 2028, and the Orioles may be hesitant to keep two high-profile catchers. This season will be make-or-break for Rutschman and could determine his future with this franchise.
Craig Albernaz
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Baltimore Orioles Manager Craig Albernaz
It may be surprising to see the Orioles’ rookie manager make this list, but he will be under a lot of pressure due to the circumstances he inherited. The high expectations for this club could be detrimental to Craig Albernaz, as he will not be given a fair shot at figuring out the job.
How much patience will the front office have if the Orioles struggle to start the season? Is he already on the hot seat, even before his first game? Most likely, there will be some leeway, especially early on in the season, when Albernaz is still getting his feet wet.
He was a highly sought-after manager this offseason and was considered a good hire by most. This will grant him some patience from the ownership, but there have to be signs of progress this season. On paper, this team is much improved from last year, so there is room to grow.
They may not be ready to be wire-to-wire division champs, but they should be in wild card contention this year. Albernaz knows anything else would be considered a failure, even for a rookie manager.
Ryan Helsley
Getty ImagesIcon Sportswire
Baltimore Orioles pitcher Ryan Helsley
The Orioles’ new closer leads a revamped bullpen that most feel is the weakness of this team. Ryan Helsley needs to have a bounce-back season, as he struggled after being traded to the New York Mets. It was thought that he may have been “tipping” or giving away his pitches with the Mets, which was the reason for his career-worst 7.20 earned run average in 22 games.
He was effective with the St. Louis Cardinals last season before the trade and was one of the best closers in baseball from 2022 to 2024. The bullpen is the biggest question about the team heading into the season. It will be without setup man Andrew Kittredge for start the season with shoulder discomfort, and it is hoping for better years from arms like Yennier Cano and Keegan Akin.
Helsley could be just a temporary fix as former Orioles closer Félix Bautista recovers from shoulder surgery. He has started his rehab with a throwing program during spring training and could be an option to return late in the season. For now, Helsley is the guy unless he shows that his time with the Mets was not a fluke.
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