The first half of the 2025 MLB season is officially over, with the All-Star Break in full effect.
With Ryan O’Hearn receiving his first All-Star appearance, Birdland had a reason to watch and be excited for the Mid-Summer Classic once again, after sending five players last year.
Of course, the Baltimore Orioles went into the break on a two-game losing streak after completing a 3-3 homestand, though they have won seven of their last 10 games.
The Orioles currently sit at 43-52 on the season, which is impressive after they fell to a season-high 18 games under .500. The Birds are 7.5 games out of the final AL Wild Card spot, and with the likes of Zach Eflin, Kyle Bradish, Grayson Rodriguez, Tyler Wells and Albert Suárez due back in the second half, the O’s remain optimistic that they can make a historic run to the postseason.
So, as the break is here, let’s take a look at the first half and see who has stood out most in this special edition of The Great, The Good and The Ugly.
The Great: Ryan O’Hearn
When you receive your first All-Star selection and are currently the only member representing your team at The Classic, it’s hard to dissuade you as “The Great” of the first half.
O’Hearn, who was acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Royals for cash considerations prior to the 2023 season, has resurrected his career in Baltimore.
Whether it be from pinch-hit heroics or clutch moments with runners in scoring position, O’Hearn has become a steady presence in the O’s lineup, one that can drive the ball to all fields with authority.
O’Hearn has had to pick up the slack with fellow first baseman Ryan Mountcastle on the IL, and he was rewarded the Birds with one of the best stretches of his career. Slashing .286/.382/.458/.840 with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs, O’Hearn is on the way towards a career year in nearly every offensive category.
In his final year before free agency, O’Hearn finds himself as the talk of trade rumors, as the Orioles decide whether to be buyers or sellers at the deadline. One thing is for sure: O’Hearn will be valuable anywhere he plays, but the most value would be here in Birdland.
The Good: Ramón Laureano
A sneaky under-the-radar signing, Ramón Laureano has become so much more than just a fill-in free agent acquisition.
Laureano leads the Orioles in OPS (.867), as he has played himself into a regular role with the team. From filling in for injured starters Colton Cowser, Tyler O’Neill and Cedric Mullins, Laureano’s value to the team has risen tremendously and leaves him on-pace to match or exceed career-highs equivalent to his 2019 season in Oakland, the best statistical campaign of his career.
Laureano is slashing .284/.350/.517/.867 on the 2025 campaign and has collected 11 home runs and 35 RBIs through 68 games. A spark plug for the offense and a strong defensive presence has many wondering if the Orioles hold on to Laureano and pick-up his $6.5 million club option for next season.
Between his offensive showing and defensive value, it’s hard to see the Orioles moving on from the talented veteran. While not one of the flashiest moves of the offseason, Laureano is becoming one of the most valuable signings made by Mike Elias in his tenure as GM.
The Ugly: Tyler O’Neill
Some may wonder how Tyler O’Neill joins this list while missing much of the first half, but that is exactly why he makes the list.
O’Neill, who when healthy is one of the better slugging outfielders in the game, has managed to spend more time rehabbing from numerous injuries than playing for the Orioles.
O’Neill, who signed a three-year, $49.5 million deal with an opt out after the 2025 season, is getting paid $16.5 million this year and has only appeared in less than a third of the Orioles’ games.
To make matters worse, O’Neill is slashing a paltry .176/.271/.314/.585 with three home runs 11 RBIs. To rub salt in the wound, O’Neill has struck out more times (32) than games played (30). In fact, the Burnaby, Canada, native has as many hits (18) as groundball double play outs (18) during his playing time.
Unfortunately, to make matters even more unfortunate, O’Neill is on-pace to set career-lows in bWAR (-0.3), OPS (.585) and slugging percentage (.314) while also having the option to pick up the remaining two years of his contract at $16.5 million per year.
With O’Neill missing as much time as he has, he will need a tremendous turn-around to add any value to his contract and help erase the sting of losing Anthony Santander to the AL East rival Toronto Blue Jays.
While the rest of the break will give the Birds some time to heal up and re-group for the second half, many of Birdland will be watching to see what happens as the trade deadline approaches.
Will Mike Elias make any moves to strengthen the team not only for this season but next, or will he fold this season in and start preparing for the 2026 season?
After having a strong first day of the draft, some excitement has returned to Birdland, but it will take a hungry and healthy squad to turn this ship around from the injury-riddled down first half.
Will O’Hearn and Laureano continue to provide the highlights for the team? Can O’Neill save his season and go on a second-half surge? Be sure to tune in for our next edition of The Great, The Good & The Ugly.
What are your thoughts on our selections for the first half? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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