Every year, a handful of players ranked outside the top 10 in their respective farm systems take meaningful steps forward to improve their stock and vault up prospect rankings. Part of the fun is trying to identify those breakouts before it happens. So today, we’re identifying Orioles prospects who have the potential to make a jump in 2026.

To qualify, a player must rank outside the organization’s preseason Top 10 prospects. All scouting reports are from Baseball America’s 2026 Prospect handbook, which you can purchase here.

You can find Top 30 prospect rankings for all teams here and all breakout candidates here.

Breakout Prospects

Aron Estrada, 2B/OF

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Average
Adjusted Grade: 40

Track Record: The Orioles had plenty of infielders already committed to their 2022 international class but couldn’t pass up Estrada, a $150,000 signee who has outperformed his peers at every level. He was a Dominican Summer League All Star in 2022, a Carolina League postseason all star in 2024 after a strong full-season debut at Low-A Delmarva, and earned that same honor in 2025 in the South Atlantic League for High-A Aberdeen. Estrada eventually reached Double-A Chesapeake with an .813 OPS and 34 steals between the two levels.

Scouting Report: Estrada has a contact-first profile and doesn’t strike out much, which drives much of his offensive upside. He’s growing into some power, but at times his overall quality of contact can be hindered by his aggressive approach at the plate, which Estrada is working to improve. He can be an average hitter with fringe-average power, and will need to maximize his offensive profile. Despite some time at shortstop and in the corner outfield, Estrada is best suited for second base and may not end up more than an average defender there. Still, he’s an above-average runner who plays the game hard and maximizes his skills on the field.

The Future: Reaching Double-A and holding his own at age 20 puts Estrada on a good path towards the big leagues, where he can be a bat-first everyday second baseman at his peak. He’ll likely be back at Double-A Chesapeake to start 2026.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 55 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50

Joseph Dzierwa, LHP

BA Grade/Risk: 45/Average
Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: Dzierwa was a three-sport star and all-state quarterback as a high schooler at Otsego High in Ohio. He thrived on the mound for Michigan State and was the Big Ten pitcher of the year in 2025, when he made 18 starts with a 1.42 ERA with 137 strikeouts and a 0.834 WHIP in 118.2 innings. The Orioles took him 58th overall—the highest they’ve taken a pitcher since Mike Elias took over in 2018—and signed him for a slightly below slot $1.5 million.

Scouting Report: Dzierwa threw one of the better changeups in the college class to drive a lot of his success in college, and has a mix that should scale well in pro ball as well. His fastball lives in the low-90s and reaches 95 mph, with run and ride, and he commands the pitch well in and around the zone. Dzierwa’s changeup is a platoon-neutral weapon that produced 39% whiff and 44% chase rates in 2025, and his slider is a significant development point. Dzierwa’s advanced command profile is also an asset and he could have plus control.

The Future: Dzierwa can climb quickly thanks to his command and plus changeup. Attention to his breaking ball and increased velocity could allow him to fit neatly in the back half of a major league rotation. He could begin his pro career in 2026 at Low-A Delmarva.

Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Slider: 45 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 60

Jordan Sanchez, OF

BA Grade/Risk: 50/High
Adjusted Grade: 35

Track Record: When Sanchez left Cuba in 2023, competition for his services was hot, and the Orioles’ tactic of holding back some bonus money for such situations paid off. He signed for $450,000 and hasn’t stopped hitting since. After dominating the Dominican Summer League in 2024, Sanchez was the Florida Complex League MVP in his age-19 season, homering five times with a .950 OPS. He also went deep twice in four games to end the season at Low-A Delmarva.

Scouting Report: That power production, as well as some on-base ability, define Sanchez’s profile at this stage of his career. He makes good swing decisions, walking 14.8% of the time in 2025, but also has an extreme amount of swing-and-miss tendencies that led to a 29.5% strikeout rate in the low minors. His quality of contact when he connects, however, is high. He shows potential above-average power and the ability to pull the ball in the air frequently, and he’ll have to slug given he’s probably limited to a corner outfield spot and might not ever be more than average there.

The Future: Sanchez has been old for his levels but even so shows the potential to be an everyday slugging corner outfielder in the majors. He’ll start back at Delmarva in 2026.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 55 | Run: 50 | Field: 50 | Arm: 50