As we move deeper into the 2025 MLB season, the voting results for the All-Star Game reveal some encouraging signs for the Baltimore Orioles. A few players stand poised to earn All-Star honors, though there’s a twist: one of them might not remain on the roster for long. Despite their mid‑season position in the playoff race, Baltimore has multiple standout performers who are racking up fan votes — and their status in the league narrative is growing.
1. Ryan O’Hearn – Leading the Pack
At the forefront stands designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, who is dominating his position in the fan balloting. O’Hearn has captured a staggering 937,205 votes, leading the pack in the DH category — a margin that exceeds 500,000 over his nearest challenger, Ben Rice of the Yankees. To put it into perspective, that’s more than Rice has garnered in total votes.
O’Hearn is in prime position to earn his first All-Star selection. Yet, the irony here is sharp: this may come just before he’s traded. With him in the final year of his contract and Baltimore still finding its footing in the AL East and wild-card chase, he could become a trade deadline asset. The Orioles might leverage his All-Star candidacy to maximize his value, potentially moving him in late July after he secures the fame and prestige of selection.
2. Jackson Holliday – A Rising Star
Second baseman Jackson Holliday is holding steady near the top of the voting leaderboards. With 806,133 votes, he ranks second among all AL second basemen. Only Gleyber Torres of the Tigers, with 1,133,888 votes, holds a cushion over him. Holliday’s position behind Torres is no small feat — the Tigers’ veteran is well regarded, but Jackson is signaling his own growing star power.
Though he may not yet claim the starting nod, Holliday is a strong candidate for a spot on the roster as a backup infielder. His sophomore campaign has been a journey of growth — not without inconsistency, but increasingly marked by maturity. His .259/.308/.404 slash line, combined with eight home runs to date, may not scream “All-Star,” yet his potential and the excitement surrounding him have propelled his popularity.
His inclusion would be a reward not only for fan enthusiasm, but also for his upward trajectory as a professional. Despite the rawness still evident in his game, Jackson is steadily rounding into the kind of player who can make an impact on the national stage.
3. Adley Rutschman – Fan Favorite
Catcher Adley Rutschman ranks as Baltimore’s next-highest vote-getter, sitting seventh among AL catchers with 301,390 votes. While his on-field numbers this year have been less spectacular than in previous seasons, his reputation among fans remains strong. Rutschman brings charisma and name recognition — a testament to how catchers can hold sway in fan voting even during down periods.
Rutschman might not finish in a position to make the team this year, but his continued presence in the top ten signals enduring popularity. He remains a key figure for the Orioles — not just behind the plate, but as a marketable star playing a central role on a team that’s seeking relevance.
4. Gunnar Henderson – In a Tight Spot
Superstar shortstop Gunnar Henderson has experienced a denser cluster of competition in his position. Currently, he’s in ninth place with 295,354 votes. That shows he’s still one of the more popular shortstops in the league, but this year’s field has been particularly strong. And while Henderson has faced some struggles, recent signs suggest he could be turning a corner.
If he can maintain an upward trend through June and July, he could re-emerge in fan voting, although making the All-Star team remains an uphill climb. Shortstop is one of the most stacked categories in the AL this season — even a player of Henderson’s caliber isn’t guaranteed a spot early on.
5. Trade-Minded Names: Mountcastle, Urias, Laureano
The Orioles have three more players inside the top 10 of their position groups who have also come up as trade candidates. Ryan Mountcastle, sixth among first basemen; Ramón Urias, fifth among third basemen; and Ramón Laureano, seventh among outfielders, each carry that dual distinction of popularity and trade intrigue.
None of them appear close to clinching an All-Star berth. Laureano, in particular, is solidly behind in votes. But their inclusion on the radar speaks to Baltimore’s marketable depth — even role players on this team are attracting enough fan attention to factor into All-Star discourse. Meanwhile, their names have been floated in rumors and trade speculation — adding another layer to the story.
Baltimore’s Growing All-Star Profile
Winning fan votes doesn’t always translate to a roster spot. But for Baltimore, having multiple players among the top vote-getters across different positions signals growing national interest. That kind of attention is important for a franchise that’s working to solidify its place in playoff contention and build long-term credibility.
Here’s how the Orioles’ vote standings break down by player and position group:
- Designated hitter
- Ryan O’Hearn: 937,205 votes — leads the pack by over half a million
- Second baseman
- Jackson Holliday: 806,133 votes — second place behind Gleyber Torres (1,133,888)
- Catcher
- Adley Rutschman: 301,390 votes — seventh in his position
- Shortstop
- Gunnar Henderson: 295,354 votes — ninth among AL shortstops
- First baseman
- Ryan Mountcastle: within the top ten (exact count not specified)
- Third baseman
- Ramón Urias: in the top ten
- Outfielder
- Ramón Laureano: seventh among AL outfielders
That’s a total of seven Orioles players ranking in the top 10 at their positions — a strong showing for a team still fighting for national recognition.
Trade Watch: Who’s on the Block?
One of the most compelling storylines suggested by the fan vote numbers is the possible departure of a key player midseason. Both O’Hearn and Mountcastle are in the final year of team control. Baltimore, not consistently in playoff contention, is considered a prime candidate to trade veterans for future assets.
- Ryan O’Hearn, in particular, has the highest All-Star vote total among the seven. A selection would elevate his value. If Baltimore is looking to capitalize at the deadline, trading O’Hearn while he’s in the spotlight makes strategic sense.
- Jackson Holliday is under control for years to come, so he’s not going anywhere. But Mountcastle, like O’Hearn, is nearing financial uncertainty. Both players are tradeable commodities — especially Mountcastle, who plays a premium position and is still productive.
- Rutschman is locked in beyond this season, so any trade discussion around him would be surprising.
- Urias and Laureano are lesser central pieces but have attracted whispers due to their solid performance and league-wide recognition. Their trade statuses remain speculative.
Why Fan Votes Matter
MLB’s All-Star Game still hinges — at least visibly — on popular vote. While managers may fill some spots, leading vote-getters earn prestige and help shape the narrative. For Baltimore and its players, strong voting ranks show two things:
- Fan Engagement & Marketability
Orioles players are rising in popularity. Multiple players in the top ten means greater head-to-head exposure, marketing opportunities, and national visibility — even if the team’s record is uneven. - Trade Leverage
A player selected via fan voting is effectively in the spotlight. That can increase trade value. Especially for players in their final contract year, it sets the stage for a deadline move.
The Season Outlook
Baltimore Orioles are in a transitional phase: powerful young talent hitting its stride, but inconsistent enough that a full-fledged playoff push isn’t yet guaranteed. The voting trends reflect that.
- A number of emerging stars — Holliday, Henderson, Urias — exhibit both on-field skill and public appeal.
- Established players near or at their primes — O’Hearn, Mountcastle — attract interest but are potentially movable pieces, depending on how Baltimore intends to allocate resources and planning.
If just two Orioles can make the All-Star squad (and possibly more via reserves or replacements), it would elevate the franchise’s profile. A team with two or more representatives often gains additional attention — nationally televised games, merchandise sales, endorsement deals.
However, if Baltimore trades away a top vote-getter like O’Hearn soon after All-Star selection, it will send signals about their short‑term outlook — perhaps shifting from playoff ambition to strategic asset accumulation for future contention.
Player-by-Player Deep Dive
Ryan O’Hearn
- Undisputed voting leader at DH
- Set for first All-Star selection; positive career highlight
- In contract-limbo year — trade candidate if Orioles lean toward selling
- His high vote total could be an asset for Baltimore’s front office
Jackson Holliday
- Rising sophomore infielder
- Strong second-place ballot standing — testament to fan excitement
- .259/.308/.404 slash line with eight homers — respectable, but improvements incoming
- Could earn roster spot as a reserve if momentum continues
Adley Rutschman
- Sitting comfortably in the top seven among catchers
- Despite modest stats this season, is buoyed by reputation and prior success
- Stands a strong chance for roster selection depending on how ballots fill
- Essential to Orioles both defensively and off the field as a face of the franchise
Gunnar Henderson
- Ninth-ranked shortstop in voting — competitive position in AL
- Early struggles affecting his tally, but signs of resurgence appearing
- Shortstop competition includes heavyweights like Carlos Correa, and others, making roster entry challenging
Ryan Mountcastle, Ramón Urias, Ramón Laureano
- Top-ten presence affirms popularity, but trailing too far to be starters
- All three have been mentioned in trade discussions, adding intrigue to their mid-season outlook
- Their vote rank shows how even secondary stars are getting league-wide attention
Implications for Baltimore
If these seven remain on the team, and two secure All-Star berths, that number could be among the highest in franchise history. It would mark a milestone for Baltimore as they strive to shed the perception of a rebuilding team.
However, trading one — particularly O’Hearn — would suggest a recalibration: balancing between sustainability and competitiveness. Baltimore’s front office may weigh immediate playoff odds against their broader organizational timeline.
Baltimore heads into late June with a deeper All-Star profile than in recent memory. Whether this fan fervor leads to on-field progress — or strategic roster turnover — will define how the remainder of the 2025 campaign unfolds.
Final Thought
Based on current standings, Baltimore should expect at least two All-Star selections — O’Hearn is all but a guarantee if healthy, Holliday is close and surging. Rutschman, Henderson, Mountcastle, Urias, Laureano all have peripheral traction if the vote winds shift in their favor or selections open up after injuries and abstentions.
Baltimore finds itself at a crossroads — becoming a team with recognized talent, yet holding considerations about selling or buying at the deadline. The All-Star voting snapshot encapsulates that hybrid narrative: a team producing both rising stars and potential trade assets — all under the gaze of a growing fan base.
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