Orioles Leadoff Breakdown: Secrets of the First Batter
The Mystery of the Musical Chairs Lineup: Why the Orioles Keep Switching Their Leadoff Hitter
What’s All the Fuss About?
Imagine you’re putting together a batting order for a baseball team. The leadoff hitter is the person who bats first — their job is to get on base, run fast, and set the table for the big hitters behind them. Usually, teams find one or two guys they trust and stick with them all season.
But the Baltimore Orioles? They’re playing musical chairs with this spot.
Important Point: In the 2025 season alone, manager Craig Albernaz has used eight different players as leadoff hitter. That’s a lot of switching!
The Latest Shake-Up: Two First-Timers in Two Days
Friday Night: Pete Alonso’s Debut at the Top
- Pete Alonso had played 1,129 major league games before ever hitting leadoff
- He’d batted cleanup (4th) 659 times and 3rd 262 times
- This was only his 154th career game batting 2nd — and first time at leadoff
Saturday Night: Tyler O’Neill’s Turn
- Tyler O’Neill played his 724th game before his first leadoff start
- He’d never batted higher than 4th this season
- Fun fact: He’s now hit in every spot in the lineup (1st through 9th) in his career!
Why Are They Doing This?
1. Matchup Magic
- Friday’s game started with a left-handed pitcher (Steven Matz)
- Albernaz wanted Alonso — the team’s on-base percentage leader — at the plate as much as possible
- Since Taylor Ward was traded, Alonso is the best at getting on base
2. Historical Context: This Is Rare!
According to STATS, this is only the third time in Orioles history that players got their first-ever leadoff starts on back-to-back days:
| Date | Players |
|---|---|
| July 27-28, 1982 | Floyd Rayford & Glenn Gulliver |
| Aug. 28-29, 2016 | Steve Pearce & Jonathan Schoop |
| Recent games | Pete Alonso & Tyler O’Neill |
How Does This Compare to History?
The Franchise Record: 11 Leadoff Hitters in One Season
This has happened three times: 1955, 1959, and 2018
The 2018 "Teardown" Season (11 Different Leadoff Hitters)
| Player | Games at Leadoff |
|---|---|
| Trey Mancini | 51 |
| Cedric Mullins | 37 |
| Tim Beckham | 29 |
| Jonathan Villar | 13 |
| Jace Peterson | 9 |
| Joey Rickard | 7 |
| Craig Gentry | 5 |
| Chris Davis | 5 |
| Colby Rasmus | 3 |
| Corban Joseph | 2 |
| Jonathan Schoop | 1 |
Fun Fact: Chris Davis led off the first five games because manager Buck Showalter was trying to snap him out of a slump. Colby Rasmus actually quit the team on July 3!
Championship Teams Used Fewer Leadoff Hitters
| Year | Achievement | Leadoff Hitters Used |
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | First Baltimore Championship | 6 |
| 1969 | AL Pennant Winners | 4 |
| 1970 | World Series Champions | 5 |
| 1979 | World Series Team | 5 |
| 1983 | Last World Series Win | 6 |
| 2014 | ALCS Appearance | 6 |
The 2014 ALCS Team’s Leadoff Hitters:
- Nick Markakis — 148 games
- Alejandro De Aza — 6 games
- Jemile Weeks — 3 games
- David Lough — 3 games
- Alexi Casilla — 1 game
- Jimmy Paredes — 1 game
Recent Seasons: A Tale of Two Approaches
2024: Stability (Only 6 Leadoff Hitters)
| Player | Games |
|---|---|
| Gunnar Henderson | 119 |
| Colton Cowser | 24 |
| Austin Slater | 10 |
| Jordan Westburg | 6 |
| Adley Rutschman | 2 |
| Jackson Holliday | 1 |
2025: Chaos (10 Leadoff Hitters Under Two Managers)
- Jackson Holliday led with 113 starts
- Cedric Mullins had 18 before being traded
- Jordan Westburg had 7 (now out for season with elbow surgery)
- Ryan Mountcastle — 1 game (injured most of year)
- Ramón Laureano — 1 game (traded to Padres)
Bonus Stats That’ll Make You Sound Smart at Parties
Gunnar Henderson’s 0-2 Magic
- Before Friday: 5-for-53 (.094) in 0-2 counts this season
- Last HR on 0-2 count: August 9, 2024 vs Athletics
- Friday night: Two-run homer on an 0-2 pitch!
The Walk Streak That Won’t Die
- Orioles drew a walk in 113 consecutive games (since April 6)
- Broke franchise record of 112 (set June 3–Oct 1, 1995)
- Overall streak: 172 straight games with a walk (July 2, 2024 – July 12, 2025) — FRANCHISE RECORD
Summary
The Orioles’ leadoff spot has become a revolving door in 2025, with eight different players getting a turn — including two guys (Alonso and O’Neill) making their career debuts at the top of the order on back-to-back nights.
Historically, championship teams tend to settle on fewer leadoff hitters (4-6), while struggling or rebuilding years see more experimentation (up to 11). The 2024 team found stability with just six; the 2025 team is closer to the chaotic 2018 teardown season.
Through it all, the Orioles keep drawing walks at a historic pace — proving that even when the lineup card looks different every day, the approach stays the same: get on base, make things happen.
FAQ
Why does the leadoff hitter matter so much?
The leadoff hitter sets the tone for the entire inning. Their job is to get on base (walk, hit, hit by pitch) so the power hitters behind them (like Alonso) can drive them in with extra-base hits. Speed and patience are key!
Is using 8 leadoff hitters in one season normal?
No. Most playoff teams use 2-4. The Orioles’ franchise record is 11 (done three times). Eight is high — it usually means injuries, trades, or a manager searching for answers.
Why did Pete Alonso hit leadoff for the first time in 1,129 games?
The opposing pitcher was left-handed Steven Matz (an "opener" who only pitches one inning). Alonso is the team’s best at getting on base since Taylor Ward was traded. Manager Albernaz wanted him up as much as possible against a favorable matchup.
What’s an "opener" in baseball?
An opener is a relief pitcher who starts the game but only pitches 1-2 innings, then hands off to a "bulk guy" who goes longer. Teams use this to create favorable matchups (like lefty vs. lefty) early in the game.
Does changing the leadoff hitter actually help win games?
Sometimes! It can exploit matchups (righty vs. lefty), give struggling players a mental reset, or maximize at-bats for your best on-base guys. But consistency usually wins — championship teams tend to settle on a guy and ride him.