The Orioles announced Monday that outfielder Colton Cowser had successful surgery to mend a fractured left hand. Cowser, who the Orioles have stated would be available for Spring Training in 2025, was diagnosed with the fracture shortly after the Orioles were eliminated from the playoffs by the Royals. Cowser was ruled out on strikes in the final game of Baltimore’s season after swinging at an up-and-in pitch from Kansas City southpaw Angel Zerpa that struck him in the left hand.
The revelation is rather shocking, considering there were no apparent signs that Cowser’s fracture would necessitate surgery following the incident. Nonetheless, the Orioles are undoubtedly relieved that the 24-year-old will avoid missing the early part of next year due to the issue, following a successful year in 2024. The rookie’s first complete season in the majors was extremely spectacular, as he hit.242/.321/.447 with a wRC+ of 120, 24 home runs, and nine steals.
That strong offensive performance was paired with excellent glove work in the outfield, where he played all three positions. That was enough to not only solidify Cowser’s role as the Orioles’ everyday left fielder, but also to lead AL rookies in fWAR with 4.0, which was only surpassed by Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill and Pirates righty Paul Skenes among MLB rookies this year. Cowser and Tigers outfielder Riley Greene matched for the fifth-highest fWAR in the majors, after only Jarren Duran, Yordan Alvarez, Jurickson Profar, and Steven Kwan.
Looking ahead to 2025, Cowser’s great outfield performance this year is likely to make him a vital piece in the Baltimore lineup next season, especially given right fielder Anthony Santander’s approaching free agency next month. With Santander seemingly unlikely to return next year, the Orioles will rely more heavily on Cowser and fellow youngster Heston Kjerstad in the outfield alongside Cedric Mullins, though infield prospect Coby Mayo’s name has also been mentioned as a potential outfield option for the club. Of course, even an outfield mix with excellent seasons from Kjerstad and Mayo would be missing Santander’s performance, who hit a career-high 44 home runs in 2024.
Given this, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Orioles looked at adding an experienced bat to their outfield mix to help protect against injury or potential issues from the club’s young outfield players. While the Orioles are expected to focus on bolstering a pitching staff that will lose Corbin Burnes to free agency and be without key players such as Kyle Bradish in the early part of next year, there should be a number of affordable veteran bats available, such as Michael Conforto or Mark Canha, who could be added without incurring a significant financial burden if the club wants to add depth to its outfield.
