Jordan Westburg’s return gives the Orioles another infield puzzle to solve, and the answer may depend on how his body holds up after a lost 2026 season.
Westburg missed the entire year after first dealing with an oblique strain over the winter and then an elbow problem that led to Tommy John surgery. He had the operation in May, and president of baseball operations Mike Elias only offered a vague timeline for when Westburg might be ready for the 2027 season.
There is at least a sign of progress. Roch Kubatko of MASN reported this week that Westburg has started a hitting progression. He still has a long road ahead in rehab, but getting back to swinging a bat is an encouraging checkpoint.
When Westburg has been on the field, he has looked like a legitimate everyday player. In 2024, he posted a 125 wRC+ while splitting time between second and third base. His power jumped in a major way too, as he went from three home runs in 68 games as a rookie to 18 homers in 107 games, earning his first All-Star selection.
He was productive again in the next season, even if injuries cut into his workload. Westburg hit .265/.313/.457 with 17 home runs in only 85 games.
The sample was smaller, but the production held. The issue with Westburg has never really been whether he can hit.
It has been keeping him available. If he’s ready by spring, Baltimore will need to make room.
Third base is one obvious landing spot. Westburg has logged slightly more time there than at second, though his defense has been shaky at both positions. He has -7 Defensive Runs Saved in 148 appearances at third base and -3 DRS in 120 games at second.
The competition at third is crowded with Coby Mayo, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Blaze Alexander. Mayo and Encarnacion-Strand both produced solid offensive seasons, but each had a clear split in his bat, with much better results against lefties than righties.
Mayo was essentially unusable against same-handed pitching, finishing with a .567 OPS. Encarnacion-Strand handled righties better, posting a .743 OPS, and also gave the Orioles a steadier glove than Mayo, who finished at -9 DRS at third base.
Alexander made a strong first impression after arriving in a trade. He is the best defender in the group, though his value is probably highest in a more versatile role. He saw action at every infield spot except first base and also played all three outfield positions.
Second base might be the cleaner path for Westburg, especially as he returns from elbow surgery and works back into the field. That route would let him ease in more gradually on defense. Jackson Holliday looks like the current incumbent there, even if he has not exactly locked it down.
Holliday will not turn 23 until December, but he already has 307 major league games under his belt. He has hit for an 86 wRC+ with 29 home runs and 29 steals in 1,211 plate appearances. His 2027 season could also be affected by offseason wrist surgery.
Defensively, Holliday took a step forward after a rough 2025. He was still below average, but his -3 DRS over 706 2/3 innings at second base was better than the -10 DRS he posted the year before. Baltimore also gave him a look at third base for the first time in the majors.
Jeremiah Jackson filled in at second while Holliday was out with a fractured hamate bone. He opened his extended big league run well before sliding into more of a backup role.
Jackson finished with a .611 OPS in 102 games and, like Alexander, seems better suited to a utility-type job. He could open next season as a depth piece in the minors.
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Orioles Enter Spring With One Defensive Decision Looming
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The biggest question is where the adjustments come from, and the outfield is the likeliest place to watch. Baltimore is expected to spend spring training drilling fundamentals while sorting through roster choices that could improve the run prevention behind the pitching staff, giving this camp a practical edge even before the games start counting. [Read more 🡒]