The Orioles' offensive fortunes for the 2026 season hinge on the development of two key players: Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg. Holliday, once a top prospect, struggled in his rookie year, but showed improvement in 2025, hitting .242/.314/.375 with 17 home runs and a 95 OPS+. His performance was a 32-point improvement from his rookie campaign, indicating a positive trajectory. Holliday's potential is not in doubt, and he remains the Orioles' everyday second baseman. Westburg, on the other hand, faced injury setbacks in 2025, missing significant time due to a hamstring strain, finger injury, and ankle sprain. Despite these setbacks, he tied for the team lead in home runs (17) and posted a solid .265/.313/.457 slash line with a 114 OPS+. Westburg's defensive skills are impressive, with 3 outs above average and a 29 feet per second sprint speed, placing him among the best at third base. The Orioles' success in 2026 will depend on Holliday and Westburg's ability to maintain and build upon their progress, with the team's offensive outlook relying heavily on their performance.
