The Orioles’ disappointing 2025 season has no shortage of explanations. A shaky rotation, an underperforming offense, and a rash of injuries have all taken their toll. But one area that hasn’t gotten nearly enough attention — and might be the toughest to address — is the defense.
Heading into the season, there was optimism about Baltimore’s glovework. The roster featured proven defenders like Ramón Urías, who won a Gold Glove in 2022, and finalists Ryan Mountcastle and Colton Cowser in 2024. Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutschman also carried strong defensive reputations, while younger players like Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg offered potential upside.
That optimism has not aged well. With less than a month left in the season, the Orioles’ defense has been a glaring weakness. Both the eye test and advanced stats paint the same bleak picture.
FanGraphs has Baltimore ranked 23rd in Outs Above Average (-18), 24th in Defensive Runs Saved (-17), and 22nd in Fielding Run Value (-18). These numbers can vary at the individual level, but the consistency across metrics highlights a major problem.
Some of the most troubling results come from expected cornerstones. Mullins (-15 DRS), Holliday (-9 DRS), Westburg (-5 DRS), and Heston Kjerstad (-5 DRS in LF, -4 in RF) have all posted poor marks. Mullins has already moved on and is unlikely to return in 2026, while Kjerstad’s struggles have pushed him down the organizational priority list. That leaves Holliday and Westburg as players the Orioles must see improvement from. Holliday’s defensive shortcomings — slow reactions, weak throws, and inconsistency — match what fans have seen on the field. Westburg’s results are mixed, with DRS unkind but OAA (+2) more favorable, suggesting he may stabilize with experience.
Other regulars have also disappointed. Tyler O’Neill (-3 DRS in RF), Dylan Beavers (-2 in LF), and even Gunnar Henderson (-2 DRS at SS) fall into the negative category. The theme is clear: many of the Orioles’ key building blocks rate poorly with the glove. And since players like Henderson, Holliday, Westburg, Beavers, and O’Neill are likely locked into major roles in 2026, the problem isn’t going away on its own.
The bright spots are fewer but important. Rutschman (10 DRS), Cowser (7 DRS in LF), Urías (6 DRS), Ramón Laureano (7 total DRS split between RF and LF), and Emmanuel Rivera (4 DRS) have graded out well. But Urías and Laureano have already been traded, and Rivera projects as a part-time option at best. That leaves Rutschman and Cowser as the most reliable defensive anchors going forward.
Injuries also played a role. Cowser, one of the best defenders in baseball, missed significant time early. Henderson lost his spring training to an oblique injury and took time to round into form, though he did recently finish a 73-game errorless streak. Westburg’s limited sample (73 games) was disrupted by his own injuries, while Rutschman has endured two IL stints. Health and continuity could lead to improvement, but it’s not something Elias can simply count on.
Looking toward 2026, the Orioles need to be proactive. Options could include acquiring a true center fielder to let Cowser settle in left, limiting O’Neill to more DH duty, and finding a steady utility infielder to replace Urías. Prospects like Enrique Bradfield Jr. may eventually help, but won’t be ready for Opening Day. Internal options like Jeremiah Jackson and Jorge Mateo don’t appear to be long-term solutions either.
It won’t draw the same headlines as adding an ace or a closer, but shoring up the defense belongs near the top of Mike Elias’ offseason checklist. If Baltimore truly plans to contend for a World Series in 2026, this “sneaky” weakness can’t be ignored.