Ryan O'Hearn

Ryan Patrick O’Hearn, showcasing his profound talent in baseball right from his early years, has been a standout player. Born on July 26, 1993, O’Hearn now plays as a first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles in Major League Baseball (MLB). His prowess on the field was previously witnessed by fans of the Kansas City Royals, for whom he played before shifting teams.

O’Hearn made his first impressions in baseball playing for Wakeland High School in Frisco, Texas. His senior year performance carrying a batting average of 0.505, 15 home runs, and 55 runs batted in (RBI) led to his selection in Baseball America’s second team High School All-American aspirants. Despite not being drafted out of high school in the 2011 MLB draft, O’Hearn continued his baseball journey at Sam Houston State University. His junior season in 2014 notably saw him score.292 batting average, 8 home runs, and 44 RBIs in 62 games.

His dream of entering the professional sporting arena came true when the Kansas City Royals selected O’Hearn in the eighth round of the 2014 MLB draft. Post signing, he spent 2014 with the Idaho Falls Chukars. His performance was noteworthy with a batting average of.361(5th in the Pioneer League), 16 doubles (6th), 13 home runs (3rd), 61 runs (a leading score in the Pioneer League), and 54 RBIs (4th). His name topped the list of the Pioneer League MVP, and in the post-season all-star team.

During 2015, O’Hearn started with the Lexington Legends. His strong performance saw him promoted to the Wilmington Blue Rocks before the season concluded. The following years saw him playing for Wilmington, the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Omaha Storm Chasers. His debut in the major leagues occurred on July 31, 2018, and he hit a home run in his very first game.

However, O’Hearn’s batting average dropped to.195 with 14 home runs and 38 RBI while at Class AAA Omaha in 2019. In 2020, he tested positive for COVID-19, noticeably affecting his overall performance with the Kansas City Royals, managing only a .195 batting average in 113 at bats with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 42 games.

Despite these challenges, his performance bounced back in 2021, with a sturdy performance of .375/.451/.931 with 15 home runs and 25 RBIs in 72 at bats with the Omaha Storm Chasers. Against this backdrop, the Royals chose to designate O’Hearn for assignment on December 28, 2022, making room on their roster with the signing of Jordan Lyles. Following this change, the Baltimore Orioles traded O’Hearn on January 3, 2023.

His innings with the Baltimore Orioles commenced on a promising note for O’Hearn, even though he was expected to play sporadically as a left-handed pinch-hitter primarily to confront right-handed pitchers. Later in May, O’Hearn found himself playing in more games due to Ryan Mountcastle’s absence. O’Hearn’s impressive power-hitting, supported by new MLB rules designed to reduce the effectiveness of the shift, was a vital contribution.

O’Hearn captured the spotlight again in 2023 when he hit 5/5 at the plate in an 8–7 away win over the Houston Astros, setting a career-high for hits in a game. He ended 2023 on a high note for the Orioles with .289/.322/.480 in 346 at bats with 14 home runs and 60 RBIs. His performance on the canvas of the baseball field led to his recognition as a key contributor and reliable platoon hitter. Despite the unexpected twists in his professional baseball journey, Ryan Patrick O’Hearn continued landing on his feet, distinguishing himself with impressive performances regardless of the challenges he faced. His incredible journey on the baseball pitch has been marked by strong growth, unyielding resilience, and a ceaseless drive to excel.