Insider Questions Baltimore Orioles Offense After Slow Start

An MLB insider questions the Baltimore Orioles offense after a rough start.

Apr 5, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman (35) / Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

While the 5-4 start for the Baltimore Orioles isn't as bad as it looks, the team has struggled offensively in a way that most weren't expecting. On paper, this is one of the best lineups in baseball and a team that can swing it with anyone.

Coming into the year, the expectation was for the Orioles to again be one of the top offensive teams in the league. There were concerns about the pitching, even after the Corbin Burnes trade, but not much was to be said about the offense potentially struggling.

However, the early offensive struggles have been an issue, and MLB insider Will Leitch of MLB.com views it as an issue. In Leitch's power rankings, where Baltimore started the season as the No. 3 ranked team in baseball and is now ranked No. 5, he questions if this offense is an early warning sign.

The Orioles ranked 29th in on-base percentage, a major concern throughout the first nine games of the season.

Leitch believes Jordan Westburg's and Gunnar Henderson's slow start, being a combined 13-65 at the plate, has much to do with the issues.

It's too early to press the panic button, especially after the season the offense had in 2023. However, it's certainly not the way they were hoping to start and in a stacked American League East, a slow start can be the reason why Baltimore doesn't have the season they're looking for.

If they want to find some instant offense, there's someone in the minors named Jackson Holliday, who happens to have a .490 OBP. Perhaps he wouldn't be a bad name to bring up to help a struggling offense.