Baltimore Orioles 2025 Roster Breakdown: Building a World Series Contender

The Baltimore Orioles enter the 2025 season with high expectations and a roster brimming with potential. Fans have plenty to be excited about, with established stars like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, rising talents such as Colton Cowser and Jackson Holliday, and the return of fan-favorite closer Félix Bautista, aka "The Mountain."

New additions like Tomoyuki Sugano, who impressed in his Orioles Spring Training debut, and Tyler O'Neill, a power hitter poised to thrive at Camden Yards, add even more intrigue. As the team aims to unlock its World Series potential, this roster preview breaks down the everyday starters, key contributors, and potential wild cards who could push Baltimore to October glory.

All-Star Adley Rutschman Anchors Orioles' Catching Corps

Everyday Starter: Adley Rutschman

Adley Rutschman will be the undisputed starter and continue to lead this Orioles group. Rutsch will look to bounce back after a disappointing second half of 2024 where he just hit 4 home runs and 24 RBI. Adley said he did not have any injuries that limited him, so hopefully whatever swing issue or mental block he had is gone. 

Backup: Gary Sanchez

Behind Adley will be new signing Gary Sanchez. Sanchez is a right handed hitter who has been known for his power in the past, but he has been a mostly league average hitter over the past few seasons. He will likely play once a week for the O’s to give Rutschman some rest, probably catching on Sunday afternoons after a Saturday night game. The O’s may still let Rutschman DH with Sanchez behind the plate, depending on the pitching matchup. Sanchez will be happy with Camden Yards’ new, shorter left field. If all goes well, he could end up with around 15 HR.

Minors/Taxi Squad: Maverick Handley, David Banuelos

Handley and Banuelos will mostly be in Triple-A, and will be the emergency backups should an injury happen. Handley has had a good spring training so far. He has been consistent across all levels of the O’s minor leagues, but it will take a big showing in Triple-A for him to get any consistent major league time.

Potential Big Debut: Samuel Basallo

Basallo is a big name to watch in the Orioles farm system. He is ranked among the top 20 prospects in baseball on every major ranking. He can catch and also play first, but his huge powerful swing and disciplined batting eye make him an interesting prospect for the future. He still has some seasoning to do defensively, but manager Brandon Hyde was very complimentary of Basallo’s game. He will fight for a roster spot in 2026, but I would not be surprised if he makes his debut in the second half of this season.

Orioles 2025 Infielders: Star Power, Versatility, and Rising Prospects

Everyday Starters: Gunnar Henderson, Ryan Mountcastle, Jordan Westburg, Jackson Holliday

Now that most of the Orioles young infielders have experience at the major league level, expect less rotation in the lineup this year. Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg are all-star caliber players who will play as often as possible with minimal rest days. Gunnar owns the shortstop position, while Westy should have a handle on 3B, with the occasional move to 2B as needed.

Jackson Holliday had an up and down rookie season, but he showed improvement towards the tail end of the season. He looks massive coming into spring training after spending an offseason bulking and working out with his dad, Matt Holliday, a former 7-time all-star. He also has a full season at 2B under his belt, after moving quickly through the minors as a shortstop. Holliday, a lefty, started only against righties last year for the most part. This year, he should get a bulk of the starts regardless of who’s on the mound. The only way he can get better against lefties is by getting more at-bats. This is the same way the Orioles treated Gunnar Henderson when he was just starting out, and Holliday has the same type of talent.

Ryan Mountcastle has improved massively on the defensive side of first base, but his power numbers have decreased since his big rookie year in 2021. The club decided to move the left field wall closer to home plate in the offseason, and Mounty will be the biggest benefactor of this change. According to statcast, Mountcastle would have had 6 additional HR last year with the current wall. He will always be in the lineup against a left handed starter, and he will split time against righties with fellow 1B Ryan O’Hearn. 

Platoon and Utility Players: Ryan O’Hearn, Ramon Urias

O’Hearn is typically only used against right handed pitching. He has the ability to DH and play the corner outfield positions, so he will only play 1B sparingly, but should end up playing over 120 games. 

Ramon Urias, the 2022 Gold Glove winner at 3B, has also spent time at first and second. Urias is more than just a utility player—he offers elite defense, smart at-bats, and the ability to provide steady production when regulars need rest days. While his power and batting average may not jump off the page, his consistency and defensive prowess make him an invaluable asset to the Orioles' infield rotation.

Minor League Depth: Coby Mayo, Emmanuel Rivera

Coby Mayo is one of the Orioles premier infield prospects, and you can read an in-depth profile of him in our latest article: "How Coby Mayo and Samuel Basallo Are Shaping the Future of the Orioles' Farm System."

The Orioles have an excess of infielders, and Mayo still needs to work on hitting off speed pitches. It is best for him to start the season in the minors so he can get consistent at bats. He won’t get a call up to the majors unless there is a spot for him to play at least half of the games. Mayo will be called up sometime in 2025 once there is an injury or a trade that opens a spot for him. 

Emmanuel Rivera is in a similar spot where he will have to wait for his opportunity. He will likely be called up if there's a short term injury for a week or two. He had some impressive at bats last year in Baltimore, and it would not be a surprise if he played in the majors this year for another club.

Emergency Options: Terrin Vavra, Nick Gordon, Livan Soto, Vimael Machin

Wild Card: The Jorge Mateo Conundrum

Jorge Mateo is one of the most interesting players the Orioles have. He is among the top 10 fastest players in the majors, and can be a huge weapon as a pinch runner. He can play gold glove level defense at short, and is also able to play second base and center field effectively. That kind of speed and versatility and speed is rare in baseball; the Orioles don’t have anyone like him. His hitting is probably a little below league average, but his other attributes make up for his shortcomings. This is an example of the little things he can do that lead to wins.

Mateo fractured his elbow last season that knocked him out for the last two months, and he still won’t be ready for opening day this year. So this begs the question: what is going to happen when he is ready to return? 

Only 13 position players can be on the roster. There are 12 who should be locks: Rutschman, Sanchez, Mountcastle, O’Hearn, Holliday, Urias, Westburg, Henderson, Mullins, O’Neill, Cowser, Kjerstad. The last spot will likely go to Ramon Laureano, who signed a $4 million contract this offseason, or possibly Dylan Carlson. The O’s will have to weigh their options and decide whether they want to cut a fifth outfielder like Laureano and eat some money, or drop an infielder like Urias. The problem with cutting Urias would then be that Westburg is the only 3B on the roster. Sometimes these questions answer themselves during the season due to injury or poor play, but it will be curious to see what direction the Orioles go with Jorge.

Orioles 2025 Outfielders: Power, Speed, and Defensive Strength

Everyday Starters: Colton Cowser, Cedric Mullins, Tyler O’Neill

Colton Cowser had nearly 600 plate appearances last season, and should hit a similar number this year. He is an excellent defender who can play all 3 positions at an above average level. Last season, he played the majority of home games in left field due to Camden Yards’ cavernous dimensions. With the wall being moved in, this should allow him to move around more and allow Brandon Hyde to plan the rest of his lineup based on matchups, but Cowser should be a mainstay in the batting order. Instead of needing 2 plus defenders in Camden, Hyde can select a more bat-first lineup when needed

Tyler O’Neill was the big offensive signing for the Orioles, who are trying to replace the power vacuum now that Anthony Santander is a Blue Jay. “Popeye” was one of the best power hitters in baseball last year, and has routinely destroyed left handed pitching throughout his career. Baltimore has struggled against lefties the past few years, so O’Neill is a welcome addition in that respect. Like Mountcastle, he will enjoy the new left field dimensions. He will start a majority of games as a corner outfielder, but he has durability concerns that will likely put him around 100-130 games this season at best. For a deeper dive into how Tyler O’Neill fits into the Orioles’ 2025 plans, check out our article: "Tyler O’Neill is the Newest Orioles’ Outfielder – How He Helps Baltimore Compete in 2025."

Cedric Mullins is in his last year before free agency, so this will be an important year for him. Mullins has brought stability in the Orioles outfield, even during the worst years. He always brings excellent defense, speed, and leadership every game. After a monstrous 30-30 season in 2021, Mullins hasn’t shown that level of power in recent years, averaging around 16 home runs and a .716 OPS (about league average). These are decent numbers for a CF, but Mullins is unlikely to get a huge deal next offseason without an uptick in power. Mullins has struggled against lefties most of his career, but last season was his worst, hitting just .196 average. If Cedric wants to continue to be an everyday player, those splits will have to improve.

Platoon and Utility Options: Heston Kjerstad, Ryan O’Hearn

Heston Kjerstad should finally get a chance to stick on the MLB roster long term, and Birdland should be excited to see what the former number 2 overall pick can do. He showed promising power in limited at bats during the summer months, before he got hit in the head with a pitch and missed nearly two months. Brandon Hyde will use him mostly against righties, platooning with O’Neill and Mullins when they need rest, or when matchups dictate late in games as a pinch hitter. Kjerstad has done everything possible at the minor league level, now is his chance to secure his shot in the show.

Bubble Players: Dylan Carlson, Ramon Laureano

Ramon Laureano was an interesting pick up this offseason for $4 million. He is the only right handed CF on the team. He boasts a decent .802 career OPS against left handed pitching, but his calling card is his defense. Laureano can play all 3 outfield positions, and has a nuclear missile for an arm. Expect him to be a potential platoon option with Mullins.

Dylan Carlson has struggled his past few seasons after finishing 3rd in rookie of the year voting for the Cardinals in 2021. A switch hitting corner outfielder, he will have to impress this spring to make the roster. Carlson still has minor league options left, whereas Laureano is free to sign with anyone if he’s cut. 

Daz Cameron has spent time in the Orioles system, and signed a minor league deal this offseason after playing 66 games with the Athletics last season. He will likely be sent to Norfolk once Spring Training winds down, and will come back up if the Orioles need center field help due to injury. 

Minor League Depth: Daz Cameron

Potential Debuts: Dylan Beavers, Jud Fabian, Enrique Bradfield Jr.

Dylan Beavers and Jud Fabian were both selected by Baltimore in the 2022 draft, and have moved up to Triple-A Norfolk in their second full season of pro ball. Both are typical profiles that GM Mike Elias likes to draft.  Beavers is a left handed corner outfielder who can do a bit of everything. He possesses above average power and speed, his average decreased last season. If he can refine his hit tool a bit more, he will be knocking on the door of the major leagues by season's end. 

Jud Fabian is a more extreme version of Beavers. He has bigger power numbers than Beavers and can also play center field very well. Fabian has a huge hole in his swing that leads to a ton of strikeouts. Scouts are split on whether he will make a big league roster because of this, but his power potential and ability with the glove makes him a risk worth taking. 

Enrique Bradfield Jr. is one of the fastest players in the minors and is already a gold glove caliber CF. How fast he makes the big leagues depends on his hitting. He has almost no power, but he can do a ton of damage on the basepaths if he can get on base consistently enough. He will likely start the season in Double A, but he could potentially take Cedric Mullins’ CF position in 2026

Wild Card: Jorge Mateo

Orioles 2025 Starting Rotation: Veterans and Rising Stars

Projected 5-Man Starting Rotation

The Opening Day rotation is pretty much set. Either Zach Eflin or Grayson Rodriguez will get the ball first, depending on who finishes stronger in the Spring. Kremer has been an effective back-end starter for multiple seasons now. Morton and Sugano are new free agent signings that were brought in to pitch every fifth day and be a veteran presence in the clubhouse. Sugano comes from Japan and just won his third Central League MVP. For more on what Sugano brings to the Orioles, check out our article: "Orioles’ Sign Star Japanese Pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano to Strengthen Staff." 

The Orioles tried to bring in a top of the rotation arm, but weren’t able to get any deals done. They could still potentially find someone via trade before the season or by the trade deadline, it would require giving up a lot of prospects and/or picks.

Bubble Starters: Cade Povich, Albert Suarez, Chayce McDermott, Trevor Rogers, Brandon Young

Albert Suarez was the biggest surprise of last year's Orioles team. Coming back to the majors after many seasons in Japan and Korea, Suarez did whatever the O’s asked of him. He went 9-7 with a 3.70 ERA in over 130 innings as both a starter and reliever. His best role on this team would probably be as a long man in the bullpen. If the scheduled starter has to be pulled early due to injury or poor performance, Suarez could come in and eat a few innings in order to save the other arms. This can be a tough job, since it's nearly impossible to prepare for, but the veteran Suarez has enough experience to pitch well in this role. 

Trevor Rogers is currently injured, but he was brought in during last year's trade deadline to join the starting rotation. He only lasted 4 disappointing starts before being sent back to the minors. Rogers pitched for the Marlins for parts of 4 seasons, finishing 2nd in rookie of the year voting in 2021. He struggled with command through large parts of last season, and was never a power pitcher. Rogers will have to rediscover that command if he wants to pitch in Birdland this season.

Cade Povich, Chayce McDermott, and Brandon Young all were excellent in the minors last year. Povich even had some impressive starts for the Orioles. All 3 will most likely start in Triple-A at the beginning of the season, but they will be ready for a potential call-up should the big league club need them. They each have at least 4 effective pitches, a good starters mix, but won’t blow hitters away with velocity. Most scouts see them with a ceiling of a number 4 or 5 starter in an MLB rotation.

Injury Watch: Kyle Bradish, Tyler Wells

Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells both have long term injuries that may keep them on the injured list for all of 2025. Best case, they could return in August/September for the playoff run. Bradish has ace level stuff and could be a massive asset. Wells has been effective as both a starter and reliever, but he’s never been healthy for a full year.

All in all, the Orioles have a very solid rotation with a lot of contributors, at least 9 guys who could start against a big league team. In this age of pitching injuries, you can never have enough pitchers. The Orioles will miss Corbin Burnes, an ace like him is a rare thing. The rotation should be effective enough for the O’s to get back to the playoffs. The real test will be if they are good enough to win in October.

Orioles 2025 Bullpen: Power Arms and Late-Inning Dominance

Closer: Félix Bautista ("The Mountain")

Key Relievers: Yennier Cano, Seranthony Dominguez, Gregory Soto, Andrew Kittredge, Cionel Perez

Bubble Bullpen Candidates: Keegan Akin, Bryan Baker, Albert Suarez, Kade Strowd, Matt Bowman, Rodolfo Martinez, Roansy Contreras

Minor League Depth: Justin Armbruester, Luis Gonzalez, Corbin Martin, Carlos Tavera, Levi Stoudt, Dylan Coleman, Yaramil Hiraldo, Jakob Hernandez, Thaddeus Ward, Raul Alcantara, Collin Selby

The Mountain is back, and he leads one of the best bullpens in MLB. 

Bautista missed all of 2024 with Tommy John surgery, so Brandon Hyde is using Bautista with caution. He won’t pitch back-to-back games or go more than 1 inning at a time. 

Yennier Cano struggled in the closer role, and trade deadline acquisition Seranthony Dominguez had an uninspiring 3.97 ERA during his time as closer. New signing Andrew Kittredge has excellent swing and miss stuff. Kittredge, Dominguez, and Gregory Soto could all see time in the closer spot this year. Soto and Cionel Perez are both power lefties who can mix in an effective breaking ball. 

There are 2 more spots on the team for the bullpen, but many more spots on the 40-man for additional pitchers who can move back and forth between the majors and minors. 

Keegan Akin had his best year as an Oriole, posting a 3.32 ERA in 66 games. The only reason he isn’t a lock is because of his inconsistency over the 3 years prior. The O’s hope he can continue to pitch well, since he would give them a third lefty who offers a different look from Perez or Soto. Akin has the inside track.

The final 26 man roster spot will likely go to Bryan Baker or Albert Suarez. 

Suarez’s spot will depend on whether Baltimore thinks he can be effective out of a bullpen instead of a starter. Baker has pitched parts of 3 seasons with the Orioles. When his change up is on, he can be an excellent reliever who can change speeds effectively. If he can’t locate his change up, it can get ugly quick. 

Baker is out of minor league options, so this might be his last chance to pitch in Baltimore.

The rest of the bubble and minor league guys will all have a chance to make the 40 man roster or have the option to sign a minor league contract. As spring training goes on and pitchers are given more reps, it will become more obvious who belongs and who will be pitching elsewhere in 2025.