The Orioles hold a 5-8 record through their first 13 games. This is below expectations for Baltimore, being world series hopefuls. Early inconsistency on both sides of the ball has raised questions about whether this team can live up to the preseason hype.
The Baltimore Orioles’ early-season slump has been fueled by underwhelming performances from several key players, both at the plate and on the mound.
Jorge Mateo has been especially cold to start the year, failing to record a hit or even reach base in his first 11 plate appearances. He holds an abysmal -100 wRC+ and has been worth -0.4 fWAR and -0.6 bWAR. His defensive versatility has not helped much either, with noticeable struggles at both shortstop and center field. Most notably, a misread on a routine lineout led to a costly triple from Bobby Witt Jr.
Dean Kremer has been unable to provide stability in the Orioles’ rotation, posting a 1–2 record with a bloated 8.16 ERA through 14.1 innings. He leads all pitchers in earned runs allowed (13) and hits surrendered (21). His most recent outing against Arizona saw him give up six earned runs in just 4.1 innings. His current bWAR sits at -0.4.
Charlie Morton, another starter off to a rocky beginning, mirrors Kremer’s -0.4 bWAR and has gone 0–3 over his first three starts. He’s matched Kremer with 13 earned runs allowed and holds an 8.78 ERA over 13.1 innings. Despite collecting 17 strikeouts, Morton has yet to pitch beyond the fifth inning in any outing.
Cionel Pérez, a critical part of the Orioles’ bullpen, has been remarkably ineffective. With a 16.20 ERA over five appearances, he has surrendered nine earned runs in just five innings of work. His outing against Kansas City, where he allowed five runs in the bottom of the eighth, turned a close 2–3 game into an insurmountable 2–8 deficit. As one of only two left-handed relievers on the roster, his poor performance has significantly impacted. He currently carries a -0.4 bWAR.
Gunnar Henderson, returning from injury, has yet to find his rhythm. He has posted a disappointing 14 wRC+ and -0.3 bWAR in six games. Defensively, he’s also been shaky, already committing two errors in the field.
While the Orioles have stumbled out of the gate in 2025, a handful of players have provided much-needed hope and production in the early going.
Cedric Mullins, coming off a disappointing 2024 season, has flipped the script in the early weeks of 2025. He’s been a spark plug at the plate, launching three home runs and driving in 14 runs with an impressive 185 wRC+. His contributions extend beyond the batter’s box, as he continues to provide steady and reliable defense in center field. Mullins’ resurgence is reflected in both a 0.6 bWAR and fWAR.
Jordan Westburg has picked up right where he left off in his rookie season, proving to be a key contributor for the Orioles. His bat has remained productive with three home runs and a 137 wRC+. On top of that, Westburg has delivered above-average defense at both second and third base, making him one of the team’s most versatile assets. He currently holds a 0.4 bWAR and fWAR.
Zach Eflin, the team’s Opening Day starter, has embraced his role as the rotation leader. He’s posted a 2–1 record with a 3.00 ERA across three quality starts, going at least six innings each time out. Eflin’s consistency and ability to limit damage have brought stability to an otherwise shaky rotation. A 0.6 bWAR backs his efforts. He is currently on the 15-day IL with a Lat Strain, adding to the Orioles’ already long list of injuries.
The Orioles’ slow start has been tough to watch as an Orioles fan. It is always an important reminder that the season is 162 games and to not overreact to slumps. I don’t believe that the Orioles will continue to play this way as the season progresses, with players finding their grooves and injured players returning. It is still a concerning start, nonetheless.
If you enjoyed this article, subscribe to our newsletter here. Check out Stadium Rant Original shows on our Youtube channel and subscribe! Give our socials Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok a follow for more great content!
