5 bold predictions that could define the Orioles’ 2025 season ft. Gunnar Henderson joining 40/40 club

The Baltimore Orioles took a step back in 2024, finishing as an AL wild-card team and then fizzling out at home in the first playoff series. They have lost a few key contributors to free agency, but they're still poised for big things.

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Bold predictions for the 2025 Orioles

5) Adley Rutschman will make an All-MLB team

Adley Rutschman will make an All-MLB team (Imagn)

Adley Rutschman struggled mightily in the second half last year. He ended up with just 2.8 fWAR and a 104 wRC+, both numbers he was on pace for better than in the first half of the year.

To make an All-MLB team, one essentially has to be in the top two in their position. Rutschman has the talent, so expect him to return to prominence in a big way.

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4) Jackson Holliday will bat .300

Jackson Holliday will bat .300 (Imagn)

Neither of Jackson Holliday's two MLB stints was particularly great. The second one was much better, but he still looked far from being the star everyone pegged him to be. This season should be so much better.

Holliday now has the experience he needs at the MLB level. He's still young but is the most talented hitting prospect baseball has seen in a while. It will take a huge leap for him to play every day and hit .300, but that's what he's going to do this year.

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3) Coby Mayo will win Rookie of the Year

Coby Mayo will win Rookie of the Year (Imagn)

Since Jackson Holliday is not eligible for the Rookie of the Year award this year, it opens it up for Coby Mayo, the Orioles' second overall prospect and MLB's 14th. He's expected to make the team this year and should give them another young star in the lineup.

He's dominated through the minor leagues and has the hit profile to continue at the big-league level. He'll likely play third base, giving the Orioles an impressive young infield of future and current superstars.

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2) Gunnar Henderson will join the 40/40 club

Gunnar Henderson will join the 40/40 club (Imagn)

Gunnar Henderson was a legitimate MVP candidate last year and will be again this year. He hit career highs virtually across the board, including 37 home runs and 21 stolen bases.

In 2025, he should be able to hit 40 home runs. That's not much of an increase. He will have to virtually double his steals, which is why this is a bold prediction. He has only 40 steal attempts in his entire MLB career. This would also likely yield him an MVP.

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1) The Orioles will win the AL East

The Orioles will win the AL East (Imagn)

The Orioles haven't gotten a ton better. They added Tyler O'Neill and Charlie Morton but lost Corbin Burnes and Anthony Santander. The New York Yankees, the reigning AL East champions, have stayed the same in quality.

That said, the Orioles were struggling last year. It was largely the same team (plus Burnes) that won 101 games in 2023. They should have some positive regression and overtake the Yankees. They have too much young talent not to.