Will the 2026 Orioles be good enough defensively?

Defensive metrics continue to be controversial in baseball circles, with critics often citing multiple statistics telling differing stories about a player’s work in the field. How could Angels shortstop Zach Neto have 13 Defensive Runs Saved (a Fielding Bible metric) and -8 Outs Above Average (a Statcast metric) in the same season? The consensus is that defensive metrics have gotten a lot better, but they don’t always align — either with each other or from season to season. It’s often said that taking a multi-year view paints the most accurate picture.

When they do align, and when they also match the “eye test” is when it’s easier to pay attention. And however you look at it, the 2025 Orioles weren’t a good defensive team. Our eyes told us that, and the metrics agree: the Orioles ranked 24th in baseball with -32 Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) and 23rd with -23 Outs Above Average (OAA).

For all their improvement this offseason, it doesn’t appear that the Orioles have improved defensively, at least on paper. Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward didn’t register strong defensive seasons in 2025, and many of the O’s returning starters have mixed defensive resumes. Here’s a look at where a few prominent Orioles stand defensively heading into 2026:

Pete Alonso (1B)
2025: -9 DRS, -9 OAA
2024: -3 DRS, -8 OAA

Alonso’s -9 DRS were the worst in baseball in 2025 among qualified first baseman, and over the last two seasons combined, he’s logged the second-most innings at first base but ranks last in both DRS and OAA. On the plus side, Alonso is strong at picking low throws out of the dirt, leading all first baseman with 29 scoops in 2025.

Jackson Holliday (2B)
2025: -10 DRS, -8 OAA
2024: -2 DRS, 1 OAA

Holliday, who just turned 22, is still learning second base after playing mostly shortstop in the minor leagues. He’s struggled at times with the position thus far, especially with his backhand, as he told reporters at the end of the season:

“Oh yeah, still an area of focus, especially the backhand,” Holliday said. I don’t remember who I was telling, but I was talking to [Brian Roberts] and that was something that gave him a hard time his first year in the big leagues playing second, and that gave me some good encouragement, because it is different from playing shortstop.”

Colton Cowser (CF)
2025: -1 DRS, 1 OAA
2024: -1 DRS, 1 OAA

Barring another prominent acquisition, Cowser figures to be the Orioles starting center fielder in 2026. While he’s received high praise for his work in left field (11 DRS since 2024), Cowser appears to be more of an average defender in center. The metrics agree over the last two seasons, but the sample size is small: Cowser has amassed 708 2/3 innings in center field compared to 1,170 2/3 in left.

Taylor Ward (LF)
2025: -3 DRS, 0 OAA
2024: 0 DRS, 4 OAA

Ward has logged 2,572 2/3 innings in left field over the last two seasons — second-most in baseball. He appears to be an average defender but graded a bit better in 2024 and 2023 (1 DRS, 3 OAA). A return to his earlier work could give the O’s outfield defense a boost, especially with Cowser more inexperienced in center.

Dylan Beavers (RF)
2025: 2 DRS, 0 OAA

Following his promotion to the majors on August 16, Beavers played 300 1/3 innings in the outfield — 179 in left and 121 1/3 in right. His grades were better in right, and that’s where he figures to see the most time in 2026 after Ward’s addition.

Tyler O’Neill (RF)
2025: -7 DRS, -4 OAA
2024: 2 DRS, -1 OAA
2024 (LF): -1 DRS, -3 OAA

O’Neill’s 2025 season was a disappointment in most facets, and defense was no exception. Despite playing just 36 games at the position, O’Neill’s -7 DRS were seventh-worst among all right fielders. It was the worst defensive season of his career. After winning consecutive gold gloves in left for the Cardinals in 2020 and 2021, O’Neill’s defensive metrics have plummeted.

After ranking 24th in runs scored, the Orioles needed to beef up their offense this winter and have done so by adding Alonso and Ward. The downside? Neither appears to add much defensive value to a team that struggled in the field last season. For the Orioles to be an above-average defensive team in 2026, multiple players may need to improve substantially from their recent defensive metrics.