If the Baltimore Orioles are serious about making a run at the AL East crown - and maybe even something bigger in October - they’ll need their stars to shine. That means Gunnar Henderson has to look more like his 2024 self, Pete Alonso needs to bring the thunder with 30-plus home runs, and Kyle Bradish has to stay on the mound and stay healthy.
But here’s the thing about a 162-game season: it’s not just the headliners who determine how far you go. It’s the guys further down the roster - the ones who don’t always grab the headlines - that often make the difference when the margins get razor-thin.
And in the AL East, where the competition is relentless and the standings can come down to a single tiebreaker, those margins matter more than ever.
Let’s take a closer look at two names who could quietly - but critically - shape the Orioles’ season in 2026.
Tyler Wells: The Swiss Army Knife of the Pitching Staff
Tyler Wells isn’t the kind of pitcher you build a rotation around, but he is the kind of pitcher who can hold a staff together when things get chaotic - and let’s be honest, things always get chaotic over the course of a season.
Wells has already shown he can thrive in a variety of roles. Back in 2023, he was a major reason the Orioles got off to such a strong start.
As a starter, he posted a 3.18 ERA and a sparkling 0.93 WHIP in the first half of the season. That kind of production from a mid-rotation arm is gold.
But fatigue set in, and he missed most of the second half, which is why it’s tough to pencil him in for a full season as a starter.
Still, his ability to step into the rotation when needed is a huge asset. And when he’s not starting?
He’s proven he can be a weapon out of the bullpen, too. That’s how he broke into the majors, and it’s how he finished 2023 - and he was lights out.
Wells didn’t allow a single run in four regular-season relief appearances or in three postseason outings that year.
That kind of flexibility is invaluable. One week, he might be making a spot start to give Bradish an extra day.
A few days later, he could be eating innings in long relief after an early exit from Dean Kremer. And if Ryan Helsley has pitched two days in a row, don’t be surprised if Wells is the guy closing out a tight game.
He’s the kind of pitcher who won’t rack up eye-popping WAR totals, but his ability to stabilize the staff in so many different ways could be the difference between winning a close game in July or burning through your bullpen and dropping one you should’ve had. In a division where every game counts, that’s no small thing.
Jeremiah Jackson: Insurance Policy Turned X-Factor
A few days ago, Jeremiah Jackson looked like he might be on the outside looking in when it came to the Orioles’ infield picture. But injuries have a way of changing plans - fast. With both Jackson Holliday and Jordan Westburg sidelined, Jackson suddenly finds himself in a position to play a real role in this season’s story.
This is where roster depth gets tested. Most teams can weather a single injury at a given position.
But when you get hit with two or three at the same time - especially in the same area of the field - things can unravel quickly. That’s why having a guy like Jackson ready to step in is so critical.
He might not be a household name, but Jackson brings enough versatility and competence to keep the Orioles from having to dip into sub-replacement-level territory. Whether he’s asked to hold down the fort for 30 games or unexpectedly becomes a fixture for 130, his presence gives the team a safety net.
And in a season where one bad stretch can make the difference between October baseball and watching from home, that kind of depth can’t be overstated. Jackson’s value won’t always show up in the box score, but if he can step in, hold the line, and keep the infield defense and lineup afloat, he’ll have done his job - and then some.
Bottom line: The Orioles have the star power to compete. But if they’re going to survive the grind of a full season in the AL East and make noise in the postseason, it’ll be because of players like Tyler Wells and Jeremiah Jackson - the glue guys who keep the machine running when things get bumpy.
Every contender needs them. And in 2026, Baltimore will be counting on them more than most.