The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2025 MLB season with sky-high expectations. After years of rebuilding and the emergence of a young core led by Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, and Jackson Holliday, many analysts and fans believed this was the year Baltimore would finally stake its claim as a perennial contender. Instead, the season ended in disappointment. The Orioles not only fell short of their playoff ambitions, but glaring weaknesses within the team were exposed for the entire baseball world to see.
In a candid and revealing post-season discussion, Gunnar Henderson did not shy away from the truth. The 23-year-old infielder admitted that both he and several key teammates underperformed compared to expectations. More importantly, Henderson highlighted what he sees as the franchise’s most pressing issue: the Orioles’ pitching staff. While Baltimore’s pitchers have shown flashes of brilliance in recent years, 2025 demonstrated a troubling inability to stay healthy and consistently perform over the grind of a full season.
This blunt honesty from Henderson reflects not only his personal accountability but also his determination to push the Orioles forward. The real question now is: can Baltimore fix its pitching problem before 2026, or will the same flaws doom them once again?
Gunnar Henderson’s 2025 Season: From Breakout Star to Sobering Struggles
To understand the weight of Henderson’s comments, we first need to examine his own performance. Coming off a spectacular 2024 season, where he hit .893 OPS with 37 home runs, Henderson was expected to be one of the cornerstones of Baltimore’s offense. Analysts predicted he could even be a potential MVP candidate if his growth continued.
But 2025 told a different story. While Henderson’s numbers weren’t disastrous—a .274 average with 17 home runs—they represented a significant step back from the promise he showed just one year earlier. Henderson himself admitted that he did not live up to his own high standards. And he was not alone. Adley Rutschman, long hailed as the franchise catcher who could lead Baltimore’s resurgence, also had a quieter season. Jackson Holliday, the highly-touted rookie phenom, struggled to find consistency against major league pitching.
For a team built around the strength of its young hitters, these collective underperformances placed a greater burden on the pitching staff. Unfortunately for Baltimore, the pitching unit proved to be the weakest link.
The Orioles’ Pitching Problem: A Question of Durability and Depth
When Gunnar Henderson addressed the Orioles’ struggles, he pointed directly at the pitching staff. His message was clear: the talent exists, but the inability to stay healthy and deliver innings over a 162-game season crippled Baltimore’s chances.
This was not a baseless claim. The Orioles’ starting rotation has long been an area of concern, even as the team’s farm system produced waves of position player talent. Injuries, inconsistent command, and a lack of veteran leadership have plagued the rotation year after year. While younger arms showed promise in flashes, they simply could not carry the load when the team needed them most.
Henderson noted that many of Baltimore’s pitchers have “proven their ability” in the past, but the problem lies in maintaining it. Too often, starters were sidelined or unable to pitch deep into games, forcing the bullpen into overuse. In an era where elite starting pitching can be the difference between championship contention and mediocrity, the Orioles were left exposed.
Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, and the Core’s Responsibility
It’s easy to point fingers at pitching, but Henderson’s comments also reflect a broader sense of accountability within the team. He admitted openly that both he and other young stars like Adley Rutschman and Jackson Holliday must shoulder responsibility for 2025’s failures.
Rutschman, hailed as the face of the franchise, was expected to be both an offensive leader and the guiding hand behind the plate for the pitching staff. While still solid defensively, his offensive output dipped, and his ability to guide the staff came into question. Holliday, meanwhile, endured the growing pains typical of a rookie but nonetheless was unable to provide the spark many fans hoped for.
Henderson’s decision to group himself with his teammates in this critique speaks volumes. Rather than separating himself from the struggles, he placed himself at the center of the problem. This honesty could prove to be a defining leadership moment for Baltimore moving forward.
Mike Elias’ Offseason Plans: The Search for an Ace
Following Henderson’s remarks, all eyes turned to Mike Elias, the Orioles’ executive vice president and general manager. Elias has been the architect of Baltimore’s rebuild, overseeing the drafting and development of stars like Henderson, Rutschman, and Holliday. But while his strategy has succeeded in producing offensive firepower, the glaring hole in the roster remains unaddressed: frontline pitching.
Elias acknowledged the issue directly, stating that the Orioles will seek to acquire a top-tier starting pitcher during the 2025-26 offseason. This could mean pursuing a proven veteran through free agency or potentially trading some of Baltimore’s offensive depth to secure an ace.
For Orioles fans, this declaration is both reassuring and frustrating. On one hand, it shows that management is finally prioritizing the issue. On the other, many wonder why it has taken so long for pitching to be treated as an urgent need.
The Bigger Picture: Orioles’ Position in the American League
The struggles of the Baltimore Orioles cannot be analyzed in isolation. In the hyper-competitive American League East, even slight weaknesses are magnified. With powerhouses like the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Toronto Blue Jays regularly contending, a lack of reliable pitching all but guarantees Baltimore will fall short.
In 2025, the Yankees’ dominant pitching staff set the standard, with consistent rotation arms keeping them in games night after night. By contrast, the Orioles’ starters were often unable to reach the sixth inning, forcing over-reliance on a bullpen that eventually wore down.
For Baltimore to realistically compete in 2026, the gap must be closed. Henderson’s blunt assessment was not merely a criticism—it was a roadmap for survival in the AL East.
The Psychological Impact: Henderson’s Emerging Leadership
One of the most fascinating aspects of Gunnar Henderson’s comments is the psychological undertone. Henderson is still only 23 years old, yet his willingness to publicly address shortcomings reveals a maturity beyond his years. By taking ownership of his struggles and simultaneously calling out the team’s biggest weakness, Henderson has positioned himself as a leader of Baltimore’s young core.
This is critical for a franchise that has long searched for its identity. For years, Baltimore relied on fading veterans or inconsistent stars. Now, in Henderson, they may finally have a player who not only performs on the field but also sets the tone off it.
The Orioles’ path forward will be shaped not only by roster moves but also by the growth of Henderson as a clubhouse leader.
Historical Context: Orioles and Pitching Woes Through the Years
For longtime fans, Henderson’s comments struck a familiar chord. The Orioles’ struggles with pitching are not new. Dating back to the post-Cal Ripken Jr. era, Baltimore has often fielded lineups with offensive punch but lacked the arms to back it up. The result has been decades of frustration, with only brief windows of contention.
The 2014 Orioles, for example, made a playoff run on the strength of their bats, only to be undone by shaky pitching. Nearly a decade later, the pattern seems to repeat itself. Henderson’s candid remarks, therefore, are not only about 2025 but about the franchise’s larger inability to prioritize and develop pitching.
The Fan Perspective: Optimism or Growing Concern?
Reactions from Orioles fans to Henderson’s comments have been mixed. Some applaud his honesty, viewing it as a refreshing departure from the usual clichés athletes offer in the wake of disappointment. Others worry that such blunt assessments may signal deeper frustrations within the clubhouse.
For optimistic fans, Henderson’s words represent accountability and the potential for growth. They see a young star willing to own his mistakes and push his team to be better. For pessimists, however, it is a sobering reminder that the Orioles may still be years away from true contention if pitching remains unaddressed.
What Must Change Before 2026?
Looking ahead, several key changes must occur for the Baltimore Orioles to transform Henderson’s critique into meaningful progress:
Acquiring a Frontline Starter
Whether through free agency or trade, the Orioles must land a legitimate ace who can anchor the rotation. Without this, their chances of competing with AL heavyweights remain slim.
Developing Durability Among Young Arms
Prospects and younger pitchers in the system need to take a step forward in not only performance but also in staying healthy over a full season.
Offensive Core Rebound
Henderson, Rutschman, and Holliday must return to form. If the bats don’t bounce back, even improved pitching won’t save the team.
Strengthening the Bullpen
While not as pressing as the rotation, bullpen fatigue has been an ongoing issue. Depth and balance here are critical.
Conclusion: A Defining Offseason for Baltimore
The 2025 season was a reality check for the Baltimore Orioles. Despite young talent and sky-high hopes, the team’s weaknesses were laid bare. Gunnar Henderson’s candid comments about the pitching staff highlighted the urgency of the problem while simultaneously underscoring his emerging role as a leader.
With Mike Elias committed to finding a frontline starter and the team’s core determined to rebound, 2026 presents an opportunity for redemption. But make no mistake: if the Orioles fail to address their pitching woes, the narrative of wasted potential will only grow louder.
As Baltimore fans anxiously await offseason moves, one question looms larger than any other: can the Orioles finally fix their biggest weakness, or will pitching once again derail their championship dreams?
