The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2026 season with high hopes, but a 10-10 start has exposed some early concerns. While new faces are still settling in, the most glaring issue has been the performance of veteran right-hander Kyle Bradish.

Bradish, who carried significant Cy-Young-caliber hype into the season, has stumbled out of the gate. Through his first four outings, he's posted a 5.49 ERA and a 1-2 record, contributing a negative bWAR. This rough patch has landed him on a Bleacher Report list of MLB's most "overhyped" stars this season, a label that's hard to dispute given the current numbers.

The Orioles' strategy this offseason relied heavily on Bradish and Trevor Rogers elevating a rotation that otherwise added Shane Baz and Chris Bassitt. So far, that plan hasn't materialized, as the starting staff ranks a middling 20th in the majors with a 4.27 ERA. While it's still very early—only 20 games into the season—Bradish's struggles have been a primary drag on the unit's performance.

There's still plenty of time for a veteran like Bradish to right the ship and salvage his season. However, his current form is far from the mid-rotation anchor the team envisioned. Compounded by the so-so starts from Bassitt and Baz, plus an injury to Zach Eflin, Baltimore's rotation questions are mounting, leaving some to wonder if a missed offseason opportunity for a frontline starter is now being felt.