Orioles’ Colton Cowser targets a more selective, changeup-aware approach heading into 2027

Orioles outfielder Colton Cowser is setting a clear, baseball-specific goal for what he wants to carry into 2027. According to a report from Yahoo Sports, his emphasis is on swinging less at changeups that come out of the zone, a tuning point that would start to shape his at-bats in a more repeatable way before the next season begins.

For Orioles fans, the idea is straightforward. In modern MLB pitching, changeups are often used as a timing pitch, but they are also a “temptation” pitch, especially when the hitter is aggressive and comfortable expanding the strike zone. Cowser’s plan, as described in the report, suggests he believes better results will follow from staying disciplined early in counts, when those breaking off-speed pitches show up near the edges.

The broader timing matters, too. The Yahoo Sports piece frames the offseason stretch as a long one, noting there are 164 days remaining until Baltimore’s next scheduled game. In that context, the next several months will involve preparation that is partly practical (work on timing, location, and decision-making) and partly uncertain, because day-to-day reporting dates and the calendar itself may not stay stable.

Cowser’s development track is also the kind of work teams like Baltimore can build around even without major, visible roster changes. Refining a hitter’s “first move” in the zone, or his willingness to let a pitch go when it is off the intended plane, can pay dividends across a whole season, not just in one series. If he reduces chase swing volume on the changeup, the impact could show up in a higher percentage of pitches he can actually recognize and square up.

There is a natural question that follows this kind of offseason focus: how does a player translate a plan like “swing less at out-of-zone changeups” into concrete habits? In practice, it usually means more consistent pitch recognition and a sharper threshold for when a swing is worth it, particularly early in counts. The report’s emphasis on that specific pitch type implies Cowser is trying to shorten the time between seeing the pitch and making the decision, rather than simply hoping for better luck.

What to watch next is less about a single stat and more about the early indicates of approach. When spring training and the first portion of the regular season arrive, the best indicators will be whether Cowser’s chase decisions on changeups appear more disciplined and whether he remains aggressive on pitches that are actually on his preferred target area. If the goal is achieved, it should show up as fewer swings on pitches he would have been better served letting go, and more at-bats where his timing can do its job.