Orioles Player Not Named Jackson Holliday Viewed as Opening Day Candidate
The Baltimore Orioles enter the season with huge expectations. After winning 101 games and the American League East, this is the year for them to take the next step.
A playoff series win and fighting for the World Series will be the Orioles' goal after proving to be ahead of schedule in 2023.
They put themselves in this position after developing one of the best minor league systems in baseball history. From Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Jackson Holliday, Baltimore's farm system has produced multiple potential star players.
Colton Cowser and Heston Kjerstad are two prospects who could make an impact this season, but there's an under-the-radar outfielder who made the Opening Day roster last season and could do so again this year.
According to Jake Rill of MLB.com, Kyle Stowers is a potential Opening Day dark horse candidate.
Stowers, 26 years old, made his big league debut in 2022. He slashed .253/.306/.418 with three home runs in 91 at-bats during his debut season.
He earned a spot on the Opening Day roster in 2023, slashing .067/.152/.067 in 30 at-bats. The struggles were clear as he struck out 12 times in those 30 at-bats.
The focus of Spring Training will be on Holliday, Cowser, and Kjerstad, but others have a chance to make the Opening Day roster.
Stowers will have to prove he can hit at this big league level during Spring Training after struggling and not getting another opportunity last year.
In the first game of Spring Training, he went 0-2 with a strikeout.
