The Baltimore Orioles took the baseball world by surprise by winning 101 games and capturing the AL East crown. But the Orioles aren’t going to surprise anyone in 2024. The rest of the league knows what to expect from them. That means the Orioles have to find new ways to surprise the league and get players to contribute who didn’t play a key role last season. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the potential X-factors for the Orioles in 2024.
John Means
Most fans remember that John Means was the ace of Baltimore’s staff before they got good. He was an all-star in 2019 and pitched a no-hitter in 2021. Means was also the team’s opening day starter in 2022 before requiring Tommy John surgery. He didn’t return until late in 2023, making just four starts. More arm trouble this spring forced him to open the 2024 campaign on the injured list. He also struggled in his first rehab start in the minors. However, if Means can somehow get healthy and get back to being the pitcher he was before Tommy John, he’ll give the Orioles another frontline starter who can further improve a rotation that has a chance to carry Baltimore a long way this season.
Dillon Tate
If Means is the rotation’s X-factor, Dillon Tate has that title in the bullpen. He wasn’t part of the team’s success last year because of an injury. But Tate was a key part of the bullpen in 2021 and 2022. During the 2022 season, Tate posted a 3.05 ERA over 67 appearances. As the fourth-overall pick in the 2015 draft, he comes with tons of upside. If Tate is healthy this year, he figures to give the Orioles another reliable arm in the back end of the bullpen, further improving a part of the roster that was a big contributor to Baltimore’s success in 2023.
Craig Kimbrel
It’s possible that Craig Kimbrel is the biggest X-factor in baseball. Last year, he shined in June and July, contributing significantly to the Phillies’ playoff push after a slow start. However, his performance took a sharp downturn in Games 3 and 4 of the NLCS, which proved to be a season-altering disappointment. The Orioles are now banking on Kimbrel to fill the shoes of Félix Bautista.
If Kimbrel delivers, the Orioles could emerge as frontrunners in the AL. But if the nearly 36-year-old struggles, Baltimore’s playoff hopes may dwindle. He’ll go a long way toward determining if the Orioles are a good bet to win the World Series or not. Before placing any bet, fans can explore the pros and cons of a variety of betting sites that are popular with sports bettors.
Jackson Holliday
Jackson Holliday was chosen as the top pick straight out of high school during the 2022 draft. Despite being a favorite for Rookie of the Year, he didn’t make Baltimore’s opening day roster and was sent to triple-A after Spring Training. However, that decision wasn’t entirely based on his merit and potential. As the son of former MLB star Matt Holliday, he has displayed impressive plate discipline throughout his time in the minor leagues. After a fast start in triple-A, it’s only a matter of time until he’s playing every day for the Orioles. If Holliday lives up to the expectations, Baltimore’s offense could see notable improvement, gaining a dimension they didn’t have last year and potentially making a huge difference for them in 2024.
