Orioles' Rutschman Looks to Regain All-Star Form in Spring Training

Former top prospect faces pressure to bounce back after disappointing 2025 season

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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The Baltimore Orioles were one of the biggest disappointments in MLB last season, and catcher Adley Rutschman is under the microscope to prove he can live up to his elite prospect billing. After making the All-Star team in 2022 and 2024, Rutschman's offensive production plummeted in 2025, raising questions about his long-term outlook as the team's franchise player.

Why it matters

Rutschman's success is crucial to the Orioles' hopes of returning to contention in the AL East. As one of the most highly touted catching prospects in recent memory, his struggles last season were a major factor in the team's regression. With a top catching prospect in Samuel Basallo waiting in the wings, Rutschman needs to show he can recapture his All-Star form to solidify his status as the Orioles' long-term answer behind the plate.

The details

After bursting onto the scene with a strong rookie campaign in 2022 and an All-Star appearance in 2023, Rutschman's offensive numbers took a nosedive in 2024 and 2025. His batting average plummeted from .277 in 2023 to just .220 last season, and his home run total dropped from 20 to 9. Rutschman also dealt with hamstring injuries that landed him on the injured list multiple times. With Basallo, one of the top catching prospects in baseball, waiting in the wings, Rutschman faces pressure to prove he should remain the Orioles' everyday catcher.

  • Rutschman was the Orioles' first overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft.
  • He made his MLB debut in 2022 and finished second in Rookie of the Year voting.
  • Rutschman made the All-Star team in 2023 and 2024 before struggling in 2025.

The players

Adley Rutschman

The Orioles' starting catcher and former first overall draft pick in 2019, Rutschman was one of the most highly touted catching prospects in recent memory but saw his production decline in 2025 after making the All-Star team in 2022 and 2024.

Samuel Basallo

One of the top catching prospects in baseball, Basallo is waiting in the wings and could push Rutschman for the starting job if the incumbent continues to struggle.

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What they’re saying

“Rutschman has all the tools to be an elite catcher in this league, but he needs to show he can consistently produce at that level. The pressure is on him to bounce back this spring.”

— Jim Palmer, Former Orioles Pitcher and Hall of Famer (MLB Network)

What’s next

Rutschman and Basallo are expected to split time behind the plate and at other positions this season, with Rutschman needing to prove he should remain the everyday catcher.

The takeaway

Rutschman's struggles in 2025 were a major factor in the Orioles' disappointing season, and he now faces pressure to regain his All-Star form to solidify his status as the team's long-term answer at catcher. With a top prospect waiting in the wings, Rutschman's performance this spring will be crucial for the Orioles' hopes of returning to contention in the AL East.