Inside The Orioles

Orioles Pushing for Their ' 1,000% Deserving' Star to Make All-Star Game

It's safe to say the Baltimore Orioles want to see their breakout star make the All-Star Game this year.
Brad Wakai|
May 31, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Ryan O'Hearn (32) looks on during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards
May 31, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Baltimore Orioles outfielder Ryan O'Hearn (32) looks on during the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Oriole Park at Camden Yards | Daniel Kucin Jr.-Imagn Images

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Baltimore Orioles

In the midst of an incredibly disappointing campaign, Ryan O'Hearn has become a breakout star for the Baltimore Orioles during the first half of the season.

While his two previous years with the team wouldn't necessarily suggest that he's just now bursting onto the scene since he posted OPS+ figures 20 points above the league average in both of those seasons, but what he's done thus far in 2025 has been a major story around the league.

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O'Hearn is slashing .305/.387/.480 with 10 homers and 29 RBI across 65 games for an OPS+ of 148, turning into the best hitter on a team that features a former American League Rookie of the Year winner, two runner-ups, a former No. 1 prospect in the sport and multiple All-Star selections.

Being a part of the Midsummer Classic is a mark that's missing from O'Hearn's resume, and it's something the Orioles are pushing to change this season.

"He's 1,000% deserving," Gunnar Henderson said, per Jake Rill of MLB.com. "He's just been unbelievable this first half of the season, and he's been one of the best hitters in baseball ... There's no one more deserving than him."

So far, it seems like the voters agree.

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After Rafael Devers was traded by the Boston Red Sox to the San Francisco Giants, O'Hearn was the leading vote getter among American League designated hitters after the first update.

It's hard to imagine that won't continue.

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But after what happened in 2024, Baltimore knows that things can change.

"I thought he got snubbed last year, quite frankly. For him to be in first this year, I'm fired up for him," Jordan Westburg added.

For more Orioles news, head over to Orioles On SI.

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Brad Wakai
BRAD WAKAI

Brad Wakai graduated from Penn State University with a degree in Journalism. While an undergrad, he did work at the student radio station covering different Penn State athletic programs like football, basketball, volleyball, soccer and other sports. Brad currently covers the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros for Sports Illustrated/FanNation. He is also the Lead Contributor for Nittany Lions Wire of Gannett Media where he continues to cover Penn State athletics. Brad is the host of the sports podcast I Said What I Said, discussing topics across the NFL, College Football, the NBA and other sports. You can follow him on Twitter: @bwakai

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