Orioles win wild game but need production from their homegrown players

Entering Monday’s game in Kansas City, the Orioles had dropped five of six. They’d lost three of four in Cleveland, and catcher Samuel Basallo was hitting .140,

For the first 8 2/3 innings, they had just one hit, a Taylor Ward double, and were trailing 1-0. Down to their last strike, and with Dylan Beavers and Pete Alonso on base, Basallo lined a fastball to left center for an RBI single to tie the game, 1-1. In the 11^th, Beavers, who was hitless in four at-bats, had an RBI single to give the Orioles a 2-1 lead before a Bobby Witt RBI single took the game to the 12th.

Basallo’s single, again to left-center off a breaking ball, gave the Orioles a 3-2 lead, and Leody Taveras’ grand slam gave them an improbable 7-5 win. Between the first and ninth, the Orioles had gone 30 batters without a hit. They also saw their best player, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, get picked off twice, including in the ninth.

The Orioles were outhit, 14-6, but Kansas City left 16 runners on base and was just 5-for-21 with runners in scoring position. The Royals had the bases loaded with none out in the third but didn’t score against Oriole starter Kyle Bradish, who surrendered just one run even though he was constantly in trouble.

They won’t win many games like Monday night’s, and they’re going to need more consistent offensive performances.

When the season began, the Orioles hoped that their new acquisitions combined with bounce-back years from their young core players would produce a contending team.

That hasn’t been the case.

The Orioles have played only 23 games, and even though he’s started off poorly, the consensus is that Alonso will find his power stroke. Ward leads the majors in doubles, and though he’s hit only one home run, he has been consistent at getting on base.

Taveras, an under-the-radar signing, has been a key addition, and his grand slam was a great moment. He has given the Orioles a solid defender in center and his surprising offense has taken up the slack for a struggling Colton Cowser.

But the Orioles aren’t going to contend if their homegrown players don’t produce.

Catcher Adley Rutschman had a strong start to the season before he went on the injured list with left ankle inflammation. Rutschman is eligible to return from the IL on Tuesday, but it’s not certain that he will.

In his absence, Basallo has played more than he would have, and his catching has improved lately. He had his best game on Monday night, delivering two key hits and outstanding defense.

Two key homegrown players, second baseman Jackson Holliday and third baseman Jordan Westburg, haven’t played at all. Holliday seems to finally be nearing a return from the February surgery to remove the hamate bone from his right wrist.

Westburg’s return after he received a platelet-rich plasma injection in his right elbow because of a partial tear of the ulnar collateral ligament is much more uncertain.

The absences of Holliday and Westburg have deprived the Orioles of much of their offensive diversity, although Jeremiah Jackson, like Taveras, has been a clutch contributor through the first 23 games.

Another player who’s supposed to help drive the Orioles’ offense is Colton Cowser. At his best, Cowser adds speed and power to the lineup and provides strong outfield defense. On Monday, Cowser’s offensive tumble continued. He struck out twice and he’s now hitless in his last 15 at-bats. He’s batting just .167 with a .443 OPS.

Cowser began the season in center field, but lately he’s been in right and Taveras has been in center. Cowser has made a couple of outstanding plays in right, but he last started in center on April 7^th.

Last season, Cowser was limited to 92 games after an ill-advised headfirst dive into first base early in the season cost him nearly two months. He didn’t hit for average, hitting just .196, but he did hit 16 home runs, though he struck out 128 times.

Cowser stole 14 bases without being thrown out. This year, he was thrown out in his only stolen-base attempt.

Henderson somehow is .hitting below .200, at .196, but he’s still showing power with seven home runs. After he got picked off twice on Monday night, manager Craig Albernaz said he had reached his quota for the season.

Beavers showed excellent plate discipline in his first six weeks as a major leaguer last season. He walked 26 times along 36 strikeouts. So far this year, he’s walked seven times and struck out 16. Beavers’ average is .211 with a .573 OPS.

In 2025, Beavers had a .775 OPS and a .227 batting average.

Their other homegrown player, Coby Mayo, has had a poor offensive start, hitting .148 with 18 strikeouts in 54 at-bats. Mayo’s roster spot could be in jeopardy when Holliday returns.

Every win is important to the Orioles, who are 11-12, but the players drafted and developed in their minor league system will be critical if they want to play in October this season.

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