Orioles ace is quickly establishing himself as a real 2026 Cy Young favorite

The Baltimore Orioles came into 2025 with no shortage of storylines, from young stars trying to prove themselves to veterans brought in to balance the lineup. But perhaps the most surprising and gratifying development has been the resurgence of Trevor Rogers. Once viewed as an afterthought in Baltimore’s rotation, the left-hander has forced himself into the national spotlight. Putting together a strong season and pitching like someone intent on rewriting his career trajectory and cementing himself as a bona fide ace in one of baseball’s most competitive divisions.

For Orioles fans, the transformation is striking. Rogers, who flashed brilliance as a rookie in 2021 with the Miami Marlins, has often been derailed by injuries, inconsistency, and the heavy expectations that followed his early success. Now, at 27 years old, everything seems to be clicking. The command, the poise, and the ability to miss bats deep into games have made him a must-watch every fifth day. 

Orioles’ Trevor Rogers making early case as a 2026 Cy Young front-runner

Rogers hadn’t really looked like himself since his stellar 2021 campaign with the Miami Marlins, the year he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting and earned an All-Star nod.

Through 16 starts, Rogers has been nothing short of dominant, posting an 8-2 record with a 1.43 ERA, 93 strikeouts across 100 2/3 innings, and a 5.6 WAR that already dwarfs anything he’s produced since his breakout rookie year. For context, he had managed just a collective 4.92 ERA and 0.9 WAR across his time with the Orioles and Marlins in 2024. This isn’t just a bounce-back; it’s a full-blown resurgence that has pushed him into future Cy Young territory.

That’s where the Orioles’ front office faces a fascinating decision. Rogers will enter his final year of arbitration in 2026, putting Baltimore at a crossroads. Do they lock him up long-term and make him part of their foundation, or risk watching him become one of the most coveted trade chips at the deadline? For a franchise trying to shed the “on the rise” label and firmly establish itself among baseball’s elite, the answer feels obvious.

The stakes, after all, go far beyond just this season. If this is truly the version of Trevor Rogers they can count on moving forward, then Baltimore has found something every contender covets — a left-handed ace who can change the course of a series and anchor a playoff run. The Cy Young chatter is well-deserved, but the bigger story is what happens next: whether the Orioles keep their resurgent star as a long-term pillar or risk letting another franchise-altering arm slip through their fingers.

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