The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2025 season with high hopes, but as mid-May approaches, the team is falling far short of expectations — and so is star catcher Adley Rutschman.
Baltimore sits at the bottom of its division with a disappointing 15-27 record, ranking fourth-worst in all of MLB. The Orioles have dropped three straight games and eight of their last ten. Offensively, only Gunnar Henderson, Ryan O’Hearn, Cedric Mullins, and Emmanuel Rivera have avoided slumps, with the rest of the lineup, including Rutschman, struggling to produce.
Once considered one of baseball’s brightest young stars, Rutschman’s performance has declined since his rookie campaign. His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) has steadily dropped: 5.4 in 2022, 4.3 in 2023, 3.4 last season, and now sits at just 0.3 — a worrying trend. Still, there’s reason to believe a turnaround is coming.
While his current numbers (.200 average, 4 HR, 11 RBIs in 140 at-bats) are underwhelming, Rutschman’s discipline at the plate remains a positive. His 24 strikeouts are among the fewest on the team, and his 19 walks rank second behind Mullins. That shows he’s still seeing the ball well — a strong sign that better results are ahead.
Additionally, catching is a physically demanding position, which may be impacting his performance at the plate. But with only nine extra-base hits and a .329 slugging percentage (a career low), there’s plenty of room for improvement — especially at Camden Yards, a hitter-friendly park.
Rutschman’s slump may be tied to the team’s broader struggles. Once the Orioles start clicking offensively and build momentum, expect Rutschman to bounce back. His track record, plate discipline, and talent suggest it’s only a matter of time.
