Crucial MLB Questions Teams Must Answer in 2026 Season

This upcoming piece dives into the heart of Baltimore Orioles spring training, tossing out 25 critical questions about the 2026 season. From roster additions and player roles to award predictions and injury worries, this mailbag-style breakdown takes a close look at the team’s prospects and pitfalls.

Fans are invited to weigh in on the future of their beloved O’s. There’s a lot to chew on.

Roster Shake-Ups and Positional Battles

As spring training approaches, the competition for roster spots always grabs attention. The Orioles have a talented pool, and some tough decisions aren’t far off.

New Faces on Opening Day?

The big question every spring: who might be the new face in the clubhouse? Will the Orioles actually grab a key pitcher before Opening Day?

• Could we see an unexpected starter jump in and make noise right away?
• Or maybe a savvy reliever—some underdog—earns a bullpen spot?

There’s always the push and pull between veterans and up-and-comers. The utility role, especially, hints at a team’s depth and flexibility.

The Utility Uproar: Urías or a New Talent?

Ramón Urías‘s future with the team sparks plenty of debate. His versatility matters, but the Orioles’ farm system is loaded with talent.

• Will Ramón Urías hang onto his utility gig, or does someone new take over that key, flexible spot?
• What are the odds that power-hitting prospect Coby Mayo not only makes the Opening Day roster but also gets real time in right field?
• And then there’s Ryan Mountcastle—does he lock down his position, or are there still doubts about his role?

Catching Quandaries and Performance Projections

The battery is the heart of any baseball team. The Orioles have some exciting options behind the plate.

How they handle their catchers will be a big storyline.

The Catching Conundrum: Adley, Samuel, and Beyond

Samuel Basallo‘s rise makes the Orioles’ catching situation both enviable and complicated. Managing two top-tier catchers is a good problem to have, right?

• How do they split starts between established star Adley Rutschman and the up-and-coming Samuel Basallo?
• Will the Orioles go with three catchers, or do roster limits force a more traditional setup—maybe even a trade?

Offense and smart strategy will drive the Orioles’ success. Who steps up in key stats will say a lot about where this team is headed.

Offensive Firepower and Mound Dominance

Every team needs big bats and reliable arms. Guessing who leads in home runs or innings pitched is always a bit of a gamble, but that’s half the fun.

• Who ends up leading the team in home runs?
• Which player racks up the most stolen bases and adds a spark to the offense?
• On the pitching side, which starter becomes the rotation’s workhorse and makes the most starts?
• And for the bullpen, how many saves does closer Ryan Helsley put up to lock down that ninth-inning job?

Award Chatter and Injury Concerns

Awards and injuries shape the story of any season. Both can swing a team’s fortunes in wild ways.

Who Will Shine Brightest? Awards and Accolades

Individual awards always bring extra buzz. The Orioles have a roster that could make some national noise.

• Who gets crowned the team’s Most Valuable Oriole this year?
• Does any Oriole chase after the big BBWAA awards—MVP, Cy Young, Rookie of the Year, Manager of the Year, or Reliever of the Year? Honestly, just having these conversations shows how far the team has come.

Injuries, though, are part of the game. How the Orioles handle health issues could make or break their season.

Rookies, Returns, and the Injured List

Fans always look forward to debuts from fresh talent, but there’s also that dread about who might hit the injured list first. Comeback stories are the ones you root for.

• Which prospect gets the call for their major league debut first?
• On the flip side, who lands on the injured list and shakes up the team’s early plans?
• Does the veteran edge of Albert Suárez or the upside of Jeremiah Jackson help them break camp with the club?
• What are the chances Heston Kjerstad makes a real splash in the majors this season?
• Will Tyler Wells reclaim a starting spot, or does he settle into the bullpen?
• And the big one for the pitching staff: does Félix Bautista come back strong in 2026?

Team Performance and Playoff Hopes

After last season’s wild record for player usage, the Orioles’ roster depth is a huge talking point. Fans can’t help but wonder about the ultimate prize, right?

• How many players will the Orioles actually use this year? Last season, they ran through an eye-popping 70 guys.
• What’s the projected win total for Baltimore? More importantly, will they finally break through in the playoffs?
• Here’s a fun one: how many starts will Grayson Rodriguez, once an O’s pitcher, make for the Angels? It’s always a little weird seeing a familiar face in a new uniform.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Bunch of questions for the 2026 season