Insider Believes Orioles Star Could Be Best Player in Baseball Soon
The Baltimore Orioles started finding success when they called up the game's top prospect, Adley Rutschman. The burgeoning star was the No. 1 pick in the 2019 MLB Draft and quickly made his debut in 2022.
In the 267 games he's played, the Orioles have a 158-109 record. He's posted a batting average of .277 with 33 home runs and has a career WAR of 9.6.
Defensively, Rutschman is regarded as one of the better defenders in baseball, posting a pop time in the 81st percentile, framing in the 94th percentile, and blocks above average in the 85th percentile, according to Baseball Savant.
There's a good argument to be made that the 26-year-old is the best catcher in baseball and one of the Top-10 players in the league.
Andrew Simon of MLB.com released his top five players in baseball, ranking Juan Soto, Julio Rodriguez, Aaron Judge, Ronald Acuna Jr., and Mookie Betts.
However, Simon writes that Rutschman is the one player outside of his top five who could be No. 1 next season.
He calls Rutschman a player who doesn't come around too often as he's tied with Rodriguez for sixth in fWAR since his debut.
Rutschman's status as one of the game's top players is perhaps the biggest factor in success Baltimore has found since he's been called up.
With Jackson Holliday joining the mix, the Orioles have another player who could get this recognition. Gunnar Henderson, the Rookie of the Year in 2023, won a Silver Slugger and finished top eight in MVP voting.
It wouldn't be surprising to see him on top five lists shortly either.
The recognition is well warranted for Rutschman, but to play their best baseball, it'll require more than just him to accomplish their goals.
