The Baltimore Orioles might not have spent millions of dollars in free agency this offseason, but they know they have a good chance of competing because their young core is about to break out.
They made additions here and there, but most of their talent comes from within.
One of the new additions is pitcher Kyle Gibson, and one of the talented homegrown players is catcher Adley Rutschman.
The 35-year-old Gibson has built an MLB career with the Minnesota Twins, the Texas Rangers, and the Philadelphia Phillies; while Rutschman is just getting started.
When he was called up last May, the Orioles were 16-24.
With him on the team, they finished 83-79: he changed the whole outlook of the franchise with his elite play and finished runner-up in the Rookie of the Year voting.
Gibson will be tasked with bringing some stability to the Orioles’ staff; a veteran presence who can be relied upon to pitch lots of innings and help the young pitchers with pointers and tips.
Yet, he feels that Rutschman is the one who can help him be better.
“Orioles P Kyle Gibson on Sirius XM right now talking about his new slider and how he’s excited to work with Adley Rutschman because he’s ‘a stud catcher.’ an 11 year age gap and I love that perspective,” MLB radio personality Dani Wexelman tweeted.
Orioles P Kyle Gibson on Sirius XM right now talking about his new slider and how he's excited to work with Adley Rutschman because he's "a stud catcher"
an 11 year age gap and I love that perspective
— Dani Wexelman (@DaniWex) January 17, 2023
A 24-year-old Rutschman took the league by storm and hit .254/.362/.445 with 13 homers, a 133 wRC+, and 5.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR).
That was his debut season!
He also hit 35 doubles, had a .806 OPS and showed phenomenal leadership skills behind the plate.
He knows how to lead a pitching staff, he is a great blocker and thrower back there, and he can steal strikes through framing.
He is the real deal, and Gibson knows it.
With him on the roster, the Orioles have a chance at making the postseason as hard to believe as it may seem.
