Orioles Have Intriguing Three-Man Race for Leadoff Hitter

All-Star prospect among contenders to set the table for Baltimore's lineup

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Baltimore Orioles are evaluating three players - Jackson Holliday, Colton Ward, and Connor Westburg - to determine who will be their primary leadoff hitter for the upcoming season. Holliday, a second baseman, had a .314 on-base percentage in 649 plate appearances last year, while Ward and Westburg have had mixed results in that role.

Why it matters

The leadoff hitter is a critical part of any baseball lineup, responsible for setting the table and getting on base to create scoring opportunities for the heart of the order. The Orioles are looking to improve their production at the top of the lineup after a subpar 2025 season.

The details

Holliday, Ward, and Westburg are the three main contenders for the Orioles' leadoff job. Holliday, the team's second baseman, struggled with a .314 on-base percentage in that role last year. Ward has shown power but his on-base skills may be better suited for the middle of the order. Westburg is currently nursing an oblique injury, which could impact his chances of winning the job.

  • The Orioles used Jackson Holliday as their leadoff hitter in 2025.

The players

Jackson Holliday

The Orioles' second baseman who served as the team's leadoff hitter in 2025, posting a .314 on-base percentage.

Colton Ward

An Orioles outfielder who has led off at times in his career, but whose power bat may be better suited for the middle of the order.

Connor Westburg

An Orioles prospect who is currently nursing an oblique injury, making him a less ideal candidate for the leadoff role given his middling on-base percentages.

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What they’re saying

“Ward's power is better used in the middle of the order, but he has led off at times in his career. Westburg is nursing an oblique injury and isn't a great leadoff option given his middling on-base percentages,”

— Mike Axisa

The takeaway

The Orioles have an intriguing competition for their leadoff hitter role, with each of the three main candidates - Holliday, Ward, and Westburg - bringing different strengths and weaknesses to the table. Determining the optimal fit at the top of the lineup will be a key decision for the team as they look to improve their offensive production in 2026.