Can a 27-Year-Old Former Undrafted Free Agent Keep Stabilizing the Orioles Rotation in 2026?
As we near the July 4th holiday and the heat of the 2026 baseball season reaches full swing, the Baltimore Orioles once again find themselves searching for more consistency from their starting rotation. While the Orioles currently hold a 39-44 record and sit in fourth place in the AL East, they remain very much alive in the race for a Wild Card spot in what has been an unusually mediocre season across the American League, with only five teams holding records above .500. As a result, despite their slow start, the Orioles sit just one and a half games behind the third Wild Card position currently held by the Athletics. Due to this, Baltimore's starting rotation has come under even greater scrutiny, as simply returning to league-average or above-average production would provide the offense with the support it needs and eliminate the feeling that the lineup must score five or more runs every night to win games. While much of Baltimore's rotation has struggled with inconsistency through the first few months of the season, former 2020 undrafted free agent Brandon Young has taken advantage of his opportunity and emerged as a steady presence at the back end of the Orioles' rotation in 2026.
Young, 27, is still relatively new to the Major League scene after making his MLB debut last April following four years in the Minor Leagues. The Texas native spent the 2025 season adjusting to life in the big leagues and experiencing the struggles that many rookies endure. Young certainly experienced those growing pains, finishing his rookie campaign with a 1-7 record, a 6.24 ERA, and a 1.54 WHIP across 12 starts. As a result, he began this season at Triple-A Norfolk after failing to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster. However, after Dietrich Enns landed on the 15-day injured list, Young was recalled on April 6th. Since then, Young has showcased the rapid development he has undergone, becoming one of Baltimore's most reliable arms. Through 12 starts this season, Young has more than carried his weight, leading the team with a 3.07 ERA while posting a 6-2 record and 49 strikeouts in 67 one-third innings pitched.
As the Orioles continue searching for improved results on the mound in both the starting rotation and the bullpen, the importance of Young's performance cannot be overlooked. Without his contributions, Baltimore could find itself in an even deeper hole than it currently faces in the standings. Fortunately for the Orioles, the down year across the American League has bought them valuable time to find their rhythm with the 2026 All-Star Break arriving next month. The all-star break often serves as the point at which front offices begin determining whether they will be buyers or sellers ahead of the trade deadline, a decision that the president of baseball operations and general manager Mike Elias will have to make in the coming weeks. If the rest of Baltimore's rotation can begin matching Young's level of consistency and provide more reliable outings each night, it could make Elias' decision much easier by the end of July as the Orioles aim to return to the postseason in 2026.
