Nothing shouts “Spring!” quite like enjoying the “old ball game.” America’s pastime offers fans a ride of emotions. With the Baltimore Orioles at the forefront of many MLB playoff discussions, the Nationals looking to build on past success, and local minor league affiliates playing well, let’s take a deeper dive into the organizations.
Finishing last season with a 71-91 record, the Washington Nationals are hoping to return to the glory days of 2019 when the team won the World Series. One notable offseason pickup is Nathaniel Lowe, a 2023 Gold Glove winner and first baseman, acquired from the Texas Rangers. Coupled with the youngster CJ Abrams, the Nats’ leader in extra-base hits last year with 55, the infield is starting to shape up. Josh Bell will lean on his veteran expertise in the locker room, helping guide the young roster, such as the outfield trio of James Wood, Jacob Young, and Dylan Crews. Returning from a long injury is Stone Garrett whose versatility will allow for fielding and hitting prowess. Turning to the mound, the Nationals will hope for another strong year from MacKenzie Gore who posted a 3.90 ERA last season while allowing only seven runs in his final 40.2 innings. While the team is still in its’ rebuilding era, there is plenty of hope for the future. The Nats open MLB play on March 27th at Nationals Park, facing off against the Philadelphia Phillies, set for a 4:05 pm first pitch. Full schedule at mlb.com/nationals.
Playing in Camden Yards for the organization’s 125th season, the Baltimore Orioles will look to build on recent success. Going 91-71 in the 2024 campaign earned the team a wildcard playoff berth. Although a slight dip from the 2023 season win percentage of .623, the .562 win percentage last season ranks as one of the highest in the last decade plus.
Félix Bautista, the 2023 All-Star closing pitcher, is set to make his return this season after undergoing Tommy John surgery last October. Bautista and Yennier Cano, another ’23 All-Star pitcher, will anchor the closing pitching. Grayson Rodriguez, who returns from a strained lat injury, newly-signed Tomoyuki Sugano and Charlie Morton, plus Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer shape the O’s starting rotation.
Behind the plate, two-time All-Star Adley Rutschman hopes to bounce back after a batting slump in the tail end of last season. Also looking to make improvements is youngster Jackson Holliday. Holliday says he’s “building off the swing that I had success with at the end of the year, and it feels really good right now.” Holliday also says he gained about 10 pounds of muscle in the offseason.
Two-time Gold Glove finalist Ryan Mountcastle returns at first base with Cedric Mullins returning to center field, among other notable veterans. High on the list of O’s prospects is Samuel Basallo, a soon-to-be 21-year-old catcher who played 127 games in the minors, hitting 19 homeruns.
Camden Yards will see a shift in field size with the left field fence moving back in, after being expanded before the ’22 season. The team opens the ’25 season at the Toronto Blue Jays for a four-game series beginning March 27th, before returning to Baltimore for a March 31st home opener against the Boston Red Sox. Visit mlb.com/orioles for full details.
Meanwhile, the Orioles Double-A affiliate had a busy offseason, undergoing a rebrand. The former Bowie Baysox team is now the Chesapeake Baysox and will don a new logo and uniforms, while remaining at Prince George’s Stadium. Finishing second from the bottom last year in the Eastern League Southwest Conference, the Baysox will look to improve. Alex Pham posted the best win-loss record of starting pitchers last year, at 7-4 with a 4.24 ERA. The 25-year-old hopes to build on that success. Accompanying Pham in the bullpen will be Dylan Heid, whose 1.69 ERA through eight games was the strongest on the team. Last year’s go-to catcher, Samuel Basallo, has been called up to the Orioles for spring training and a possible roster spot. Frederick Benscome, who at age 23, took the most at-bats last year, will return to the infield. With 2024 standouts Jud Fabian and Dylan Beavers both attending spring training with the Orioles, manager Roberto Mercado will look to Enrique Bradfield Jr., Reed Trimble, and Douglas Hodo to fill in the outfield gaps. The Baysox will open the 2025 MiLB season on the road against the Altoona Curve for a three-game stint, starting April 4th, before returning home to take on the Erie SeaWolves, set for a 6:35 pm start on April 8th. Learn more at milb.com/chesapeake.
The Aberdeen Ironbirds, Baltimore’s High-A affiliate, saw an off-season shift as well. Attain Sports, current owners of the Baysox, took over majority ownership of the Ironbirds. With a majority of the roster changing during the offseason, the 2025 season will be a new chance to set the standard in Aberdeen. Finishing third from the bottom last season and posting a .508-win percentage from 67 wins and 65 losses, there was a slight dip from the .512 win percentage in 2023. Leidos Field at Ripken Stadium will open to fans on April 4th as the Ironbirds begin the season at 7:05 pm against the Hub City Spartanburgers. Learn more at milb.com/aberdeen.
Rounding out the Orioles local affiliates, Delmarva Shorebirds play Single-A ball. In what was deemed a “developmental year” last season, the team went 53-78 in the Carolina League North conference. Fans will hope for another big year from Edwin Amparo, a late-season signing, and Elis Cuevas who helped the birds to a 14-13 record in the last month of the season. The Shorebirds will open the season on the road against the Salem Red Sox before returning home for a six-game stretch against the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, beginning on April 8th at 7:05 pm. Plan ahead by visiting milb.com/delmarva.
