Orioles News & Notes - March 2025

[Orioles]

From BA article Meet The 9 Breakout MLB Hitters Of 2025:


Lawrence Butler, OF, Athletics

Jesús Cano: Lawrence Butler was arguably one of the hottest hitters in the second half of the past season, but because he played on the A’s you didn’t hear much about him. After getting sent down to Triple-A in May, Butler worked on his mechanics and the results showed. He slashed .302/.346/.597 (.943 OPS) with 20 home runs, 49 RBIs in his final 73 games. At just 24, he just signed a seven-year, $65.5 million extension. Don’t be surprised if he gets an all-star selection in his hometown of Atlanta.


James Wood, OF, Nationals

Matt Eddy: If we consider Jackson Chourio and his 20-20 season as a 20-year-old to be sufficiently broken out, then I’ll go with Nationals left fielder James Wood. The 6-foot-7 lefthanded hitter led all Triple-A prospects with a 176 wRC+ last season and then flashed exciting signs in the second half as one of just a half-dozen 21-and-under big league regulars. While Wood’s strikeout rate spiked against MLB pitchers, his hard-hit rate, chase rate and walk rate all looked good to go. Twenty-five homers and a .350 OBP are in play for Wood this season as a 22-year-old.