The Orioles announced today that outfielder Colton Cowser underwent successful surgery to repair his fractured left hand. Cowser, who the O’s announced is expected to be ready for Spring Training in 2025, was diagnosed with the fracture shortly after the Orioles were eliminated from the playoffs at the hands of the Royals. In the final game of Baltimore’s season, Cowser swung at an up-and-in pitch from Kansas City southpaw Angel Zerpa and was called out on strikes despite being struck in the left hand by the pitch.
The news is somewhat surprising, as there were no immediate indications that Cowser’s fracture would require surgery in the aftermath of the injury. All the same, the Orioles are surely relieved that the 24-year-old figures to avoid missing the early part of next year due to the issue after a banner year in 2024. The rookie’s first full season in the majors was very impressive, as he slashed a solid .242/.321/.447 with a wRC+ of 120, 24 homers, and nine steals.
That strong offensive performance combined with solid glove work in the outfielder, where he split time between all three outfield spots. That proved to be enough to not only cement Cowser’s role as the Orioles’ everyday left fielder but also allowed him to lead AL rookies in fWAR with a 4.0 figure that was only eclipsed by Padres center fielder Jackson Merrill and Pirates righty Paul Skenes among MLB rookies this year. In terms of left fielder’s Cowser’s performance tied with Tigers outfielder Riley Greene for the fifth-most fWAR in the majors, trailing only Jarren Duran, Yordan Alvarez, Jurickson Profar and Steven Kwan.
Looking ahead to 2025, Cowser’s excellent performance in the outfield this year figures to make him a key cog in the Baltimore lineup next season, particularly given the impending free agency of right fielder Anthony Santander next month. With Santander seemingly unlikely to return next year, the Orioles figure to rely more heavily on the production of Cowser and fellow youngster Heston Kjerstad in the outfield alongside Cedric Mullins next year, though infield prospect Coby Mayo’s name has also been floated as a potential outfield option for the club next year. Of course, even an outfield mix that features strong seasons from both Kjerstad and Mayo would surely miss the production offered by Santander, who slugged a career-best 44 homers in 2024.
Given that, it would hardly be a surprise if the Orioles explored adding a veteran bat to their outfield mix in order to help safeguard against injury or potential struggles from the club’s young outfielders. While the Orioles figure to primarily focus on bolstering a pitching staff that figures to lose Corbin Burnes to free agency and be without key pieces 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 a significant financial burden if the club wants to add depth to its outfield mix.
“The Orioles announced today that outfielder Colton Cowser underwent successful surgery”
Has there ever been an announcement of unsuccessful surgery?
Yes
The only announcement of an unsuccessful surgery I’ve ever seen was not known until well after the fact.
Will need Cowser to take the “next step” next season, especially if Santander walks (which he should IMO). Kjerstad, Mullins, Cowser should be solid enough especially since right field is not huge at Camden. Mayo should be left in the IF to split between 1b/3b, back to Norfolk to work on 2 strike approach as he was awful in his time up.
Cowser missing time this offseason is not great but hopeful for a great recovery and he uses his down time wisely to correctly identify what a change up looks like.
VA/NC Orioles;
Unless Mr. Kjerstad has a coordination transplant, he isn’t going to be much good in the OF other than catching routine fly balls that come down within 7-8 yards of where he was standing when the pitch was thrown.
Samuel, you know he can better, right? He hasn’t exactly had the smoothest ride through the bigs thus far and none of it was due to his talent level. Let the kids play. It’ll be fun. This was why we got Elias, to put this team in place, but good Lord do we need more pitching next year.
baked mcbride;
Have you watched him play the OF?
I don’t he can do 1B.
Yes, he can hit. Will make a nice DH / Pinch Hitter.
Yes and he’s been boneheaded at times, but Santander became a much better right fielder over time. Kjerstad needs an opportunity to play somewhere in the field. Maybe it’s first base, maybe he improves much like Santander. Cuz Tony was bad out there for a bit, too. Also, if you put Cedric or another elite CF next to him, it takes a lot of pressure off of Kjerstad to make up for some lost range or bad jumps.
He reminds me of Kirk Gibson. Long career of year in and out average to above average play throwing in an occasional elite season of play. And similar physical gifts/attributes.
C Yards Jeff;
The league caught up with Cowser as the year went on, and that was before the injury.
I like him, but time will tell. His glove alone will keep him in MLB for years. His intensity level is like a mini-Alonso.
This is not really true. Fast start and league adjusted – as it always does – but he also adjusted and got hot again. The last month he was up and down because playing every day he faced more lefties. That will be the test for him next year.
It’s also the obvious reason the OF can’t be Mullins, Cowser and Kjerstad. Add Gunnar to that and you have a serious problem with lefties
Wait he’s already broken down and gimping his way around the bases after walk-off?
DDT; Kirk G. A gamer. Big and athletic. Threw his body around the diamond like a wide receiver on a football field. IE not a baseball player type. That’s Colton Cowser to me.
Hopefully the man is fully recovered by spring training, you never want to see injuries or see them linger due to guys trying to push it to get back. Cowser has a bright future, I wish we could keep Santander and Burnes but Santander is the more expendable of the two. Retaining either is a long shot until the new ownership proves otherwise. And if/when Santander leaves cowser is going to be expected to be even better.
how is he eclipsed by Jackson Merrill in fwar but Merrill isn’t listed in the list of players with more fwar in the next sentence?
Merrill is a centerfielder. The next sentence refers specifically to left fielders.
Duran is a center fielder.
Duran spent 800+ innings in Center and 600+ innings in Left. He was a part timer. Merrill, by contrast, played all 1300+ innings in Center.
I was just stating he shouldn’t be on the list as the top left fielder when’s he’s up for the gold glove in center.You can’t jack up the WAR in center then apply it too left. Cowser is up for the gold glove in left and not Duran.
Duran has the hunger to improve. Hungry. Hungry like a fox
Glass
???
Swung @the pitch that broke his hand. Doesn’t say if it’s hamate bone. Removing it zaps alot of players strength initially, power can take awhile to come back. Get well soon.
” In terms of left fielder’s Cowser’s performance”
Wut?