Will the Orioles’ Colton Cowser have a better season in 2026? | MAILBAG

Question: Do you have any confidence in Colton Cowser after seeing him hit under .200? From: Eric

Answer: Eric, I also got a question about Colton Cowser from Carl LaVerghetta in Annapolis, who wants to know if analytics are a real factor in a ballplayer’s performance, why is Cowser in the everyday lineup?

Cowser’s 2025 was troubling, and he played so often late in the season because the Orioles didn’t have any better alternatives and because knowing they were not in the playoff hunt, they could afford to play him and others without fear of harming their postseason hopes.

He played only 92 games and had two stints on the injured list. The first came when he missed more than two months after fracturing his thumb on his ill-advised headfirst dive into first base. He also missed time after a concussion.

I think 2026 is a huge season for Cowser and for the other young core players. He’ll have to improve on his 2025 performance. I’ll be interested to see if the Orioles acquire a centerfielder and move Cowser back to left or keep him in center and add players who’ll play the corners.

For the moment, they have Dylan Beavers and Tyler O’Neill, who’ll play the corners, and Cowser in center. Enrique Bradfield Jr., who had hamstring injuries, played only 76 games, and just 15 at Norfolk. He needs more time at Triple-A. He’s currently in the Arizona Fall League.

As for analytics, he had a 1.1 WAR (Wins Above Replacement), which isn’t awful for a player who hit .196. Of Cowser’s 64 hits, 30 were doubles or home runs, so his OPS was .655, not good, but it helped push his value up analytically.

On the minus side, he struck out 128 times and walked only 27. In 2024, he struck out 172 times in 153 games, but had a .768 OPS.

I think Cowser needs to stay on the field and cut down on his strikeouts.

Question: Now that Cody Bellinger declined his option, do you think the Orioles will go hard for him? Seems like perfect vet addition. From: Robert Forgione

Answer: Robert, Dave Kausch also wonders about Bellinger. And since free-agent speculation season is beginning, Craig Berg wonders about Marcus Stroman, a former Yankee.

I think Bellinger would be an ideal signing, but I wonder if the Yankees will let him get away. I would be aggressive in trying to sign him, and while I think the Orioles will be among the bigger players in the free-agency market, I’m not sure they’d go past four or five years in trying to sign a position player.

As for Stroman, he was released on August 1^st and didn’t sign anywhere. He wouldn’t be on the top of my list, but I’m sure the Orioles will thoroughly research him as they will with other free-agent pitchers.

Most weekdays, I’ll be answering at least one Orioles question. If you’d like to submit a question, send it to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com. Questions may be edited for clarity, length and style.