Orioles' Power Additions Fail to Make Early Impact

Offseason acquisitions like Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward struggle as Baltimore's offense sputters out of the gate.

Apr. 6, 2026 at 6:55pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a baseball game or match, with sharp, overlapping shapes and planes in vibrant colors like navy, orange, and green, conveying the fragmented and disjointed nature of the Orioles' struggling offense.The Orioles' new power hitters have yet to make their mark, as the team's offense has sputtered out of the gate.Baltimore Today

The Baltimore Orioles made a concerted effort to bolster their lineup this offseason, adding sluggers like Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward. However, the new power bats have yet to make their mark, as the Orioles rank near the bottom of the league in home runs and runs scored through the first nine games of the season. While Ward is hitting for a high average, Alonso and the rest of the offense have struggled to get going, contributing to the team's 3-6 record and fourth-place standing in the AL East.

Why it matters

The Orioles' struggles on offense are a disappointment for a fanbase that was expecting big things from the team's offseason additions. If the new power hitters can't get going soon, it could put the Orioles in an early hole in the competitive AL East division race.

The details

The Orioles' biggest offseason acquisition was signing first baseman Pete Alonso to a five-year deal. They also added outfielder Taylor Ward, who hit 36 home runs for the Angels in 2025. However, the duo has combined for just one home run so far, as the Orioles rank 28th in MLB with only six team home runs. The lack of power has contributed to the Orioles ranking 23rd in runs scored, a big reason for their 3-6 start that has them fourth in the AL East.

  • The Orioles made their key offseason additions over the winter break.
  • Through the first nine games of the 2026 season, the Orioles are 3-6.

The players

Pete Alonso

A power-hitting first baseman the Orioles signed to a five-year deal this offseason after he hit 38 home runs for the Mets in 2025.

Taylor Ward

An outfielder the Orioles acquired this offseason after he hit 36 home runs for the Angels in 2025. He is currently leading the Orioles in batting average despite the lack of power.

Gunnar Henderson

The Orioles' young slugger who leads the team with two home runs so far this season.

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What they’re saying

“The Orioles made a concerted effort to add more power to the lineup during the offseason, with newcomers Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward slugging 38 and 36 home runs in 2025, respectively. That tandem has just one long ball so far, and the O's rank 28th in the majors with six homers as a team through nine games.”

— Joel Reuter, Bleacher Report Writer

What’s next

If Alonso and Ward continue to struggle, the Orioles may need to explore other options to jumpstart their offense. The team's early-season performance could also impact their plans at the trade deadline if they fall further behind in the division race.

The takeaway

The Orioles' offseason power additions have yet to pay dividends, as their new sluggers have failed to provide the offensive boost the team was counting on. If Alonso, Ward, and the rest of the lineup can't find their groove soon, it could put the Orioles in an early hole in the competitive AL East.