Baltimore Orioles starting to put the pieces together

After a rough few seasons, there is a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to the Baltimore Orioles rebuilding efforts.

No one expects the Baltimore Orioles to contend in 2021. They find themselves in what may well be the most difficult division in baseball, home of the defending American League champions and three teams with large payrolls and a desire to win. Baltimore, meanwhile, has been through a rebuilding process that is still ongoing.

But there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Ryan Mountcastle finally arrived in the majors and began to look like the player that the Orioles hoped he would be. He produced an impressive .333/.386/.492 batting line in his 140 plate appearances, hitting five doubles and five homers. While he may never be a major power threat, he does have the potential to be a solid middle of the order bat.

John Means may not be an ace, but he has the potential to be a solid middle of the rotation arm. Easily the most valuable starter on the Orioles over the past two seasons, he has posted a 14-15 record, along with a solid 3.81 ERA and a 1.102 WHiP in his 198.2 innings, striking out 163 batters with only 45 walks.

There are plenty of pieces in the minors as well. Yusniel Diaz, once considered the centerpiece of the Manny Machado trade, may finally get a look at the major league level following two solid seasons in AA. Adley Rutschman, one of the top prospects in all of baseball, may end up making his major league debut by the end of the year.

The pitching side has plenty to dream on as well. Both Dean Kremer and Keegin Akin should be in the Opening Day rotation, slotting in behind Means and Alex Cobb. DL Hall and Grayson Rodriguez may not be a part of the pitching staff at the start of the year, but both could see action by the end of 2021 as well.

Even the bullpen has some intriguing pieces. Hunter Harvey finally seems to be healthy, and could emerge as the Orioles closer of the future. Paul Fry and Travis Lakins give Baltimore a solid lefty-righty duo at the back of the bullpen. Some of the pieces are there for the Orioles.

The Baltimore Orioles are not going to contend in 2021. However, the pieces are in place for them to start to emerge from their rebuilding process.