Why Are the Baltimore Orioles Struggling to Believe This Season?
The Orioles’ suffering is magnified because of how so many of these hitters took flight together and how many are now having growing pains together. Let’s focus on Rutschman, Henderson, Westburg and Cowser – the four thriving young bats from last season – plus Holliday.
Rutschman is the most alarming case on the surface. His OPS is down for a second consecutive season, with his line sitting at a punchless .206/.302/.339. Underlying numbers are rosier, though. Rutschman maintains two key calling cards: Strong bat-to-ball skills (109 contact+) and control of the zone (111 discipline+). If anything, his already solid 17% strikeout rate is more elevated than expected (12.1 xK%).

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