Adley Rutschman emerged as one of baseball’s most promising talents following a standout college career at Oregon State University. This reputation led the Baltimore Orioles to select him first overall in the 2019 <a href="https://www.buzzineintl.com/category/baseball/mlb/”>MLB Draft. His rapid progression through the minor leagues culminated in a major league debut on May 21, 2022, where he quickly established himself as an elite catcher and a core part of Baltimore’s lineup.
Rutschman’s rookie season was impressive, highlighted by an .807 OPS, and he followed that with a strong 2023 campaign, hitting .277 with a .809 OPS and 20 home runs. The Orioles meanwhile went on to claim 101 regular-season victories. Despite a noticeable regression in 2024, where his OPS dropped to .709, Rutschman remained regarded as one of the top offensive catchers in the league, attributed mostly to an uncommon down year.
Growing Unease Over Rutschman’s Performance Decline
However, concerns have mounted as Rutschman’s struggles have deepened this season, raising questions about his future impact. By the time Baltimore faced the Boston Red Sox recently, Rutschman, sidelined with abdominal soreness, was batting just .229 with a .683 OPS and nine home runs. Such numbers fall short even by the modest offensive standards of the catcher position.
This decline caught the attention of Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer, who highlighted Rutschman’s drop-off amid a broader warning for the Orioles in his August 20 article titled
The Biggest Red Flag for Every MLB Team Right Now
. For Baltimore, Rymer identified the key issue as
Adley Rutschman isn’t their glue anymore
.
Rymer elaborated on this point, stating,
This season has put the kibosh on the notion of the Orioles as a rising power in the American League, and one need look no further than Rutschman for a microcosm of their decline. His last 162 games have yielded a .211 average and an 80 wRC+
. He expressed serious doubts about Rutschman’s status as a franchise cornerstone:
The 27-year-old won’t be a free agent until after 2027, but it’s already fair game to wonder about his status as a foundational player in Baltimore. The recently promoted Samuel Basallo is also a catcher, after all, and the O’s just drafted two more backstops in July
.
What Lies Ahead for Rutschman and the Orioles
There remains ample opportunity for Rutschman to reverse his fortunes and reaffirm his role with the Orioles. A strong finish to the season could reignite hope among fans and the organization alike, potentially positioning him to lead Baltimore in their 2026 efforts. The team’s investment in other catching prospects like Samuel Basallo, alongside recent draft choices, signals an ongoing search for stability behind the plate that may influence how the future unfolds for Rutschman and the Orioles.