MLB Pipeline released its new top 30 prospects list for all organizations in February, including the Baltimore Orioles.
The Orioles are a far cry from their 2024 preseason peak of holding the first-overall farm system in the sport. At the same time, Baltimore continues to rank near or around the middle of the pack despite the promotion of their players and trades. That’s in part due to strong draft classes and international free agent signings.
Their 2026 farm system, though not as tantalizing as in 2024, still features some new faces worth watching. None of them are guaranteed a spot in the future, but they could also be used to make blockbuster trades or make a spot start.
Top Orioles Prospects to Watch in 2026
1) Right-Handed Pitcher Esteban Mejia
2025 Stats (Rookie/Single-A): 14 starts; 1-4; 2.94 ERA; 52 innings; 36 hits and 31 walks (1.288 WHIP); 67 K; 0 HR; .191 OBA
2024 international free-agent signee Esteban Mejia only got $175,000 to play for the team, but has quickly become one of the more intriguing arms in their system. There has been a downgrade in Mejia’s changeup from a 55 to a 45, but his fastball remains lively. His four-seamer not only hits the upper 90s frequently, but it’s also touched 102 mph at points.
Esteban Mejia (BAL) is one of the most advanced pitchers for his age.
At just 18 years old, Mejia can run his heater up to 102 MPH and his slider to the low 90s as a starting pitcher. He reaches deep positions and is highly athletic, throwing from a low release. pic.twitter.com/zBzq6WyRDo
— Nate Roper (@NateRoper_) February 6, 2026
“His best secondary offering is a hard, gyro-like slider he can snap in the low 90s, and he also throws a firm, developing changeup in the low 90s that is still a work in progress despite good action,” Mejia’s Baseball Savant scouting report reads.
That’s good enough for the number eight slot in MLB Pipeline’s ranking of the Orioles top prospects. He also ranks number seven in Baseball America’s ranking of Baltimore.
Mejia is a strong power pitcher, racking up 111 strikeouts over 79 2/3 innings. It’s also tantalizing to see someone who hasn’t given up a single home run in that time. He does have a walk problem, issuing 46 of them across two seasons. The 19-year-old is not expected to pitch in the majors until 2029. But he has enough time to fix his control issues.
2) Right-Handed Pitcher Levi Wells
2025 Stats (Double/Triple-A): 25 appearances (21 starts); 2-6; 3.48 ERA; 95.2 innings; 87 hits and 39 walks (1.317 WHIP); 7 HRs; 96 K; .237 OBA
Several of the Orioles’ pitching prospects have been busts so far, including Chayce McDermott and Cade Povich. Trey Gibson is expected to break camp after spring training, but Levi Wells might be the next man up.
The 24-year-old is the same as the aforementioned Mejia, holding a strong fastball with some control issues. However, he received lessons from MLB pitcher Nathan Eovaldi in the 2025 offseason. It saw his ERA go down, his walk rate drop, and his strikeout rate increase slightly.
Nasty slider from Levi Wells to strike out Jose Altuvepic.twitter.com/pmeY8rghfD
— Charm City Connection (@88OriolesFan88) March 10, 2026
“His fastball lives in the upper-90s and can hit triple-digits, and Wells has the ability to ride it up in the zone or sink it to generate ground balls,” his Baseball Savant scouting report notes, adding his three secondary offers include a new cutter.
Wells’ fastball did touch 98 mph in September 2025, along with his 91 mph cutter. His curveball did have lively movement, but he struggled to stay in the zone or generate whiffs. The good news is that only five balls put in play were considered hard-hit.
He likely ends up at Triple-A after his lackluster spring, but there’s promise. Wells could end up making a spot start if a pitcher goes down.
3) Outfielder Nate George
2025 Stats (Rookie/Single/High-A): 323 ABs, .337/.413/.896, 14 doubles, 9 triples, 5 HRs, 42 RBI, 38 BB to 62 K, 50 SB
Nate George is arguably the most exciting offensive player on their list besides Enrique Bradfield and Wehiwa Aloy. The 16th-rounder made his impact known in 2025, leapfrogging to the 93rd overall prospect slot and establishing himself as part of Baltimore’s strong crop of outfield prospects.
Despite a slightly below-average power grade, his speed netted him 50 stolen bases last year, but he was caught stealing 25 times. That also gave him nine triples, including seven at Single-A Delmarva. The range also puts him in conversation for the centerfield spot, one he could share with Bradfield Jr. in the future.
Combined with his plate discipline, he is poised to fit in with fellow prospect Dylan Beavers at Camden Yards one day.
“The right-handed hitter has plenty of bat speed and strength and found the barrel consistently in 2025,” George’s scouting report reads. “He hits the ball hard to all fields, with extra-base pop the other way, and there’s raw power he should be able to tap into as he advances.”
Nate George got an invite to #Orioles big league camp — for one day — and made a big impression.
MLB’s No. 93 prospect showed off his 70-grade speed and learned plenty from observing his teammates: https://t.co/aysU9m2JIZ pic.twitter.com/QXYMqXY76O
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) February 21, 2026
The Orioles are already preparing him for the big leagues, even giving him an invite to spring training. While George did tell reporters he was “observing” for the most part, he called the experience a “blessing.”
4) Shortstop Wilfri De La Cruz
2025 Stats (Rookie): 120 ABs, .258/.400/.865, 11 doubles, 3 triples, 18 RBI, 48 BB to 36 K, 15 SBs
Wehiwa Aloy could be the final entry for the Orioles list, but it’s hard to see him there with Jackson Holliday and Gunnar Henderson occupying the middle infield. The Orioles could ship Aloy off, paving the way for Wilfri De La Cruz.
De La Cruz signed with the Chicago Cubs in 2025, before being traded for reliever Andrew Kittredge. The good news is that the trade is paying off, both in terms of getting Kittredge back and seeing the 18-year-old excel.
“He’s a switch-hitter with a disciplined approach and the offensive upside to profile as a regular at several positions, with scouts divided over whether his hit tool or power will outshine more in the long run,” MLB’s scouting report reads.
It’s still early in his career, but there’s a major plus side here if he develops. He will still be in rookie ball, given his age. However, his plate discipline puts him in a strong category. He’s arguably the most exciting prospect out of the international pool for this team.
Main Photo Credit: © Thomas Bender/Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images