Gunnar Henderson and Kyle Bradish are positioned to lead a retooled Baltimore Orioles club into the 2026 season, anchoring a projected Opening Day lineup and rotation that blends established stars with young talent and new power.
Henderson, the All-Star shortstop, is slated to bat leadoff and remain the centerpiece of Baltimore’s infield. He is followed by left fielder Taylor Ward, while catcher Adley Rutschman slots into the No. 3 spot, giving the Orioles a patient, high-contact presence near the top of the order.
A major source of power comes in the cleanup role, where first baseman Pete Alonso is projected to hit fourth. The slugger’s presence would provide Baltimore with a middle-of-the-order force capable of changing games with one swing.
Jordan Westburg is projected to bat fifth and handle third base, with designated hitter Samuel Basallo sixth. Tyler O’Neill is penciled into right field and the seventh spot in the lineup, followed by center fielder Colton Cowser. Blaze Alexander rounds out the projected batting order at second base.
On the mound, right-hander Kyle Bradish is projected to start Opening Day, leading a rotation that features a mix of right- and left-handed arms. Trevor Rogers is slated second in the rotation as the lone left-hander, followed by Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt.
The fifth spot is projected as a competition between right-handers Zach Eflin and Dean Kremer.
If the projections hold, Baltimore would enter 2026 with a lineup built around on-base ability, emerging youth, and significant power, supported by a rotation headlined by Bradish and reinforced with veteran depth. The Orioles, coming off continued contention in the American League East, appear poised to remain a factor heading into the new season.
