There are many reasons that the Orioles have failed to meet their expectations in 2025. The pitching staff was dreadful early on. The offense has been far less potent than expected. And injuries have popped up all over the roster. But one area that deserves similar scrutiny may also be the team’s toughest problem to fix: defense.
Coming into 2025, there was optimism around the Orioles glovework. The team had several individual standouts. Ramón Urías had a Gold Glove on his resumé back in 2022. Ryan
Mountcastle and Colton Cowser were finalists for Gold Gloves in 2024. Cedric Mullins and Adley Rutschman were well-regarded around the sport for their defense. And there felt like some upside with guys like Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg on the infield.
With less than a month left in the 2025 season, it seems that optimism was misguided. The Orioles’ work in the field has been a bit of a mess, often not passing the eye or metrics test.
According to FanGraphs, the O’s rank 23rd in MLB in Outs Above Average (-18), 24th in Defensive runs Saved (-17), and 22nd in Fielding Run Value (-18). These metrics can sometimes vary widely, especially at the individual player level. So the fact that they all agree on the ineptitude of the Orioles team defense should be a flashing warning sign for the front office.
Some of the worst-rated fielders have been Mullins (-15 DRS), Holliday (-9 DRS), Jordan Westburg (-5 DRS), and Heston Kjerstad (-5 DRS in LF, -4 DRS in RF). Obviously, Mullins is no longer an Oriole, and is unlikely to be one in 2026, so we won’t spend much time there. Kjerstad has had a nightmare season, and no longer seems to be a top priority for the organization. The two to worry about for the future of the Orioles are Holliday and Wesburg.
Holliday’s numbers are, unfortunately, compatible with watching him play. He regularly seems slow to react in the field. He doesn’t throw particularly hard. It’s all a bit surprising for a guy with his physical skills. DRS doesn’t love Westburg, but other metrics (2 OAA) are more favorable. He is one that has seen his defensive numbers bounce around early in his career.
Some other poor performers worth noting are Tyler O’Neill (-3 DRS in RF), Dylan Beavers (-2 in LF), and Gunnar Henderson (-2 DRS at SS).
We are sensing a theme here, yes? Many of the Orioles building block players have poor defensive metrics. Regardless of the changes made this coming offseason, it’s safe to say that guys like Henderson, Westburg, and Holliday are going to be everyday players in 2026. The same is likely true for O’Neill and his contract, as well as Beavers.
On the flip side, the players with mostly positive metrics were Rutschman (10 DRS), Cowser (7 DRS in LF), Urías (6 DRS), Ramón Laureano (4 DRS in RF, 3 DRS in LF), and Emmanuel Rivera (4 DRS).
Urías and Laureano were two guys that the Orioles could have had on the team in 2026. Elias decided to trade them for prospects instead. Rivera has been an up-and-down infielder that projects as the same again in ‘26. So they won’t be viable options to turn to next season. But at least Rutschman and Cowser would seem to be dependable gloves.
Although it feels like too easy of an answers, the aforementioned injuries do factor into the Orioles defensive issues as well. Cowser, an elite fielder in the sport, missed significant time with an early-season injury. Henderson missed all of spring with a oblique injury, and then started the season slow. It feels like his defense has improved as the season has wore on. In fact, he just ended a 73-game errorless streak. Westburg has played only 73 games, and missed time with injuries last year as well. A full healthy offseason could solve some of his issues. Rutschman has had two IL stints now.
You get the picture.
It’s not unreasonable to say that many of the Orioles cornerstones should improve in the field next season. At the same time, Elias can’t plan to enter 2026 with such a similar crew as ‘25 and expect positive regression across the board. Some sort of changes are likely necessary.
What changes, exactly? It could mean finding a full-time center fielder to allow Cowser to thrive in left. Enrique Bradfield Jr. is on the horizon, but won’t be ready for Opening Day. So that makes it tough to juggle. O’Neill should probably DH far more than he plays right field. That might keep him healthier too. The team still needs a viable utility infielder to replace Urías. Jeremiah Jackson won’t be the answer there defensively, and Jorge Mateo is likely to have his team option declined.
Add it to the lengthy list of “to dos” that Elias needs to check off this winter. It might not get the headlines like a hunt for a frontline starter or a closer. But it is a sneaky need that should not be ignored if the Orioles want to enter 2026 with legitimate World Series ambitions.
