Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in 2019, Adley Rutschman quickly rose through the ranks to make his big league debut in 2022. He has since established himself as one of the team’s most important players.
In 2025, however, the catcher struggled, finishing the season with a .220 batting average, 9 home runs, and 29 RBIs, while also struggling with multiple injuries.
On Saturday’s episode of “Hot Stove,” former Seattle Mariners second baseman Harold Reynolds predicted Rutschman to return to his best in 2026.
“Adley got punished for doing what you want guys to do – playing hurt. Be a leader, do those things. He played hurt, it hurt him, and he didn’t get rewarded,” Reynolds said (0:22).
“I think now, I’m still a full-on believer in Adley. I think he’s a phenomenal player. He’ll bounce back this year healthy, and we’ll get a chance to see (his quality),” he added.
“He’s A Key Guy For This Whole Thing” – When Orioles GM Reiterated Belief In Adley Rutschman Despite Frustrating 2025 Season
As the Baltimore Orioles hosted their end-of-season press conference in late September, Adley Rutschman’s future was quite a hot topic, and then-general manager (now president) Mike Elias was asked about the O’s plans for the young catcher.
Elias said that despite a tough 2025 season, Rutschman would continue to be an important player for the team.
“Adley’s the guy. He will be our frontline catcher. Frustrating season for him, coming off a frustrating second half. He’s aware of it, we’re aware of it, we’re all working on it. There were some injuries sprinkled in this year that I think were a factor in him kind of getting out of sync,” Elias said (37:40).
“I thought he had a great defensive season, and he does a great job leading our pitching staff. So, he’s a key guy for this whole thing. We’re going to work with him to restore his presence in baseball, as an All-Star, but he’s going to be front and center as our starting catcher,” he added.
After a superb 2024 season, the Orioles endured an extremely disappointing campaign in 2025, finishing at the bottom of the AL East with a 75-87 record.
As they look to get back into the playoffs in 2026, fans will hope to see Adley Rutschman stay healthy year-round and contribute to the team’s success.
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