3 potential breakout candidates for the Orioles in 2025

More than a few Orioles players had outstanding years in 2024. Between Colton Cowser's arrival, Gunnar Henderson's MVP-caliber year, and Jordan Westburg's first All-Star appearance, the Orioles' core is about as good as you could ask for.

However, we'd love to see a few more players cement themselves as fixtures on the Orioles roster for years to come. Here are three potential breakout candidates that could help push the Birds over the top in 2025.

Chayce McDermott could work his way into the Orioles rotation early on in 2025

Chayce McDermott should get the chance to earn a rotation spot in 2025. He missed time in 2024 due to a shoulder injury and had a muted debut in Baltimore, but overall his performance in Triple-A last year is a good sign for those of us hoping he can live up to the prospect hype.

Over 100 innings with Norfolk, McDermott pitched to a 3.78 ERA with an elite 32.9% strikeout rate. Like many Orioles pitching prospects, the young righty walks too many batters. However, McDermott has such good swing and miss stuff that the walks end up getting mitigated because he strikes so many guys out.

McDermott made just one appearance with the Orioles in 2024 and it didn't go well. He gave up 3 runs in 4 innings to a dismal Marlins offense, but he ended up going down with a shoulder impingement shortly thereafter.

Despite his rough debut, all signs point toward McDermott being an effective major league pitcher. He has a very good fastball/slider combo and a legit changeup that will miss bats at the highest level. McDermott should get an opportunity in spring training to earn a spot on the major league roster. If all goes well, it won't be long before he's up in Baltimore for good.

Heston Kjerstad will become an everyday player in 2025

What we saw from Kjerstad in limited time in 2024 was encouraging. The lefty hit .253/.351/.394 in 114 plate appearances, an improvement on his performance in the majors compared to 2023. He also tore the cover off the ball during his time in Triple-A, hitting .300/.397/.601 with the Tides.

Kjerstad has been an exceptional hitter throughout his career in the minors and we saw that skill set start to translate to the highest level in 2024. With regular playing time, it's likely that Kjerstad will be able to earn a full time role in the Orioles' outfield.

Because Anthony Santander is expected to leave Baltimore in free agency and sign elsewhere this winter, the path to regular playing time should open up for Kjerstad. It's possible that Mike Elias goes out and signs a top tier outfielder, maybe in the mold of Juan Soto, but until that happens Kjerstad should be among those to get the first crack at the every day job.

Kjerstad isn't an elite defensive outfielder but he does play well enough in the corners to keep the job. His improved plate discipline and power on contact will make the difference in what should be a huge season for him in 2025.

Brandon Young will be pushing for a rotation spot in spring training

Young is a bit of an off the board candidate, seeing as he's not currently on the 40-man roster. However, using his performance in 2024 as a guide, he'll be one of the first minor league pitchers in the system to get a crack at a rotation spot if the O's need one.

Young ran into some back luck at Double-A Bowie, posting a 4.09 ERA in 7 outings. However, that came with an impeccable 1.24 FIP and a 40.9% strikeout rate. That success carried over after his promotion to Triple-A Norfolk, as Young pitched to a 3.44 ERA with a 3.61 FIP in 89 innings.

The 26 year old has four plus pitches and good feel for the strike zone. He's one of the few guys at that level who have been able to miss bats, but not suffer from an increased walk rate due to living on the edges of the zone.

Young should be one of the first guys up early next year and based on how well he's pitched over the last several years, his stuff should translate well to a role with the big league club. When he gets the opportunity, Young is going to capitalize on it.