Unless you live under a rock or dislike baseball, you know the Orioles have an intriguing team heading into 2023. Last year, the scrappy Birds just missed the postseason, but can they build on that this season?
There’s no reason to think this young team won’t improve. They have new, young prospects that add a lot of fire and also added a couple of depth guys to the lineup and bullpen this offseason.
However, trusting a couple of average offseason additions and some young potential to lift you over the hump is a lot to ask. Can the young bucks be trusted to carry this team to the big stage?
OK, enough questions and vague hypotheticals. It’s time to find out if we should buy or sell the hype of the 2023 Baltimore Orioles.
REASONS TO BUY THE HYPE
This is the beautiful fairytale story Birdland fans have fallen in love with.
Adley Rutschman is garnering MVP hype before the season has even started, Gunnar Henderson showed a lot of potential at the end of last season and the organization has a 19-year-old future star they drafted in 2022 in Jackson Holliday.
All the farm investments have finally paid off, as the big league club now has the young core to build the team of the immediate future.
Last season, the O’s just missed the postseason. In fact, they only missed it by three games, as they battled until the final week of the season.
Now, they have a full season of Rutschman, a full season of Henderson and, if all goes to plan, a full season of top pitching prospect Grayson Rodriguez. That’s a ton of young talent in just three players.
Plus, with the edition of veterans who have plenty of postseason experience, it’s hard to think right away that the Birds come up short again this season.
REASONS TO SELL THE HYPE
I’ve already covered just how fun and productive these young stars can be. However, trusting most of your production to come from young, not consistently proven guys is a slippery slope, a gamble that can really put your team in jeopardy of falling flat.
Beyond the fact that the organization is banking their season on the upside on these youngsters, they didn’t add much top-tier talent with that depth.
Guys like Adam Frazier, James McCann, Mychal Givens, Cole Irvin and an aging Kyle Gibson don’t do a lot when it comes to moving the meter. They do fill the holes that needed patching, but none of these acquisitions screamed “blockbuster.”
Are these moves really enough to move the needle for a postseason push? Is this team capable of challenging teams like the Rays, Mariners and White Sox for a Wild Card spot?
Was the 2022 Orioles season one of overachievement that will lead to a bit of a setback this year? A 31-game improvement was remarkable, historical, really.
FINAL DECISION: BUY THE HYPE
At the end of the day, there’s plenty of excitement for this team. They have more depth than they’ve had in years, veteran presence in more than one facet and youthful exuberance to help make a big difference come September and October.
Let’s be real, I’m a little biased. But with that being said, there’s absolutely a reason to buy into the hype.
Dadley, I mean Adley, looked really strong in his time last year. In fact, he changed the entire complexion of the O’s 2022 season when he debuted.
Henderson looked really good in his limited time in the majors, as he showed composure and a sense of familiarity in the big leagues already.
Rodriguez has all the tools to be a legitimate ace for an organization that hasn’t had one since Mike Mussina. And Holliday has second-generation blood and seems to have the maturity of a seasoned vet, even though he can’t legally drink.
Mix in the rest of the prospects waiting for their opportunity and the return of John Means in July, and there’s a reason for Birdland to be buzzing. This team not only seems poised to secure a Wild Card birth, but they have that Cinderella magic that makes you want to believe in something more.
Don’t just buy. Buy stock, buy gear and, hell, buy everything they’re selling.
Speaking of buying gear, are you looking for the perfect way to show your love for the Baltimore Orioles? Well, look no further than Birdland Sports!
As a small business run by Orioles fans, Birdland Sports offers a great selection of unofficial merchandise that’s affordable and high-quality. From the popular “Birds Are Coming” tees to unique player cartoon shirts and World Series prediction designs, Birdland Sports has everything you need to support your team.
Plus, use the code BBKyle at checkout to get 10 percent off your order! Visit http://www.birdlandsports.com today to browse their collection and gear up for the season!
Are you buying into the O’s 2023 preseason hype? Let us know in the comments below! And make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook and Twitter, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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