Still, there is always room for the team to upgrade, especially given their payroll sits at $198 million with $45 million in tax space. The Orioles are still eyeing up Framber Valdez<\/a>, but they are more than likely done regardless of a move. They also have to take into consideration the rookies and prospects.<\/p>\n Outside of Dylan Beavers<\/a> and Samuel Basallo<\/a>, the Orioles have a few prospects they can call up in 2026. Even though their farm system is far weaker than it was a few years ago, there are three names to watch for this upcoming season.<\/p>\n 2025 Stats (A+\/AA): 26 starts; 3-8; 124 1\/3 innings pitched; 3.62 ERA; 90 hits and 50 BB (1.126 WHIP); 16 HRs; 158 K; .199 OBA<\/p>\n Juaron Watts-Brown<\/a> came over to the Orioles in the Seranthony Dominguez<\/a> trade with the Toronto Blue Jays before the trade deadline. As part of their fire sale, the Orioles sought major pitching upgrades for the future.<\/p>\n The 23-year-old right-hander is graded<\/a> with a plus-slider and slightly above-average curveball, but needs work on his control. While his fastball tops out at only 96 miles an hour, it has enough movement to generate misses alongside a slow-moving curveball.<\/p>\n Juaron Watts-Brown struck out six in his Baysox debut pic.twitter.com\/PumAhZ1vzs<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Chesapeake Baysox (@BaysoxOfficial) August 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Watts-Brown put up solid strikeout numbers, garnering nearly 11 per nine innings and holding a batting average under the Mendoza line. Keeping hits per nine under the average of one per inning also helps his stock. He does have an elevated walk rate and needs to be careful of the long ball in the big leagues.<\/p>\n Another small downside for Watts-Brown is that he needs to generate more ground balls. A ratio of 0.97 is fine, but it would work wonders in getting home run rates down, where he surrendered 10 in 35 innings with Chesapeake. He could find his start in the bullpen if there are more injuries in 2026.<\/p>\n 2. Enrique Bradfield Jr., Outfielder<\/p>\n 2025 Stats (4 Teams, Rookie-AAA): 264 at-bats; .242\/.348\/.696; 15 doubles and two triples; three home runs; 19 RBI; 41 BB and 66 K; 36 SB<\/p>\n Baltimore already has a leadoff hitter in Jackson Holliday<\/a> or Jordan Westburg<\/a>, but they do stand to benefit from more speed on the basepaths. Enrique Bradfield Jr.<\/a>, while having slumped at the plate in 2025, still has Chandler Simpson-esque traits to his on-base production.<\/p>\n The fourth-ranked prospect in the Orioles system has two specific tools<\/a> per his scouting report: Baserunning and fielding. His entire report raves about the bases he stole and his fielding, calling it \u201cGold Glove\u201d potential. The problem is that he just doesn\u2019t have a good arm or an outstanding bat to go along with it.<\/p>\n No. 6 @Orioles<\/a> prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. had a home-to-first time of 3.69 seconds on this bunt single.<\/p>\n That is faster than any time recorded by an Orioles player last season. \ud83d\udc40\ud83c\udfc3\u200d\u2642\ufe0f #SpringBreakout<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/9oogFBvuJR<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 MLB Stats (@MLBStats) March 15, 2024<\/a><\/p>\n In the last two years, he stole 110 bases in 184 games, which is definitely a number to take note of. Though his .348 on-base percentage could use a little work, he does have leadoff-hitter qualities. Speed and on-base are the two keys that make a standout leadoff guy. Bradfield Jr. has both.<\/p>\n Enrique Bradfield Jr showing off one of his two 80-grade tools.<\/p>\n pic.twitter.com\/80Jajdrmkb<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Verge- An Orioles MiLB Podcast (@TheVergePod) August 20, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n The only issue for Bradfield Jr. in the Orioles system is that he is in the middle of an outfielder logjam. Ward is a starter alongside Beavers and Colton Cowser<\/a>, with Tyler O\u2019Neill<\/a> and Leody Taveras<\/a> occupying the bench. He needs to see a spot free up and have Heston Kjerstad<\/a>\u2018s struggles continue to see any meaningful playing time.<\/p>\n 3. Luis De Leon, Left-Handed Pitcher<\/p>\n 2025 Stats (3 teams; A-AA): 20 games (18 starts); 87 1\/3 innings pitched, 3.30 ERA; 65 hits and 41 BB (1.214 WHIP); 0 HRs; 107 K; .203 OBA<\/p>\n The Orioles lack a dependable second left-handed starter and bullpen option in their staff. A little bit of youth also doesn\u2019t hurt, with Baz being the youngest at 26. Should the bullpen struggle or a significant injury occur, the door could open up for Luis De Leon<\/a>.<\/p>\n De Leon\u2019s profile features a plus-grade fastball and two average secondary pitches. The fastball can touch the upper 90s, maybe 100, with a sharp slider to boot. The downside for him, per the scouting report<\/a>, is that his mechanics can really throw him off if they aren\u2019t working. Think Zack Britton<\/a> and his time with the Orioles: Great when he was on-point, but a high walk risk when he was off.<\/p>\n Keep an eye out for Luis De Leon this season \ud83d\udc40<\/p>\n While the No. 95 prospect has dealt with injuries throughout his career, there\u2019s little doubting the electricity in his left arm.<\/p>\n He\u2019s one of 10 prospects primed to rise in our Top 100 rankings: https:\/\/t.co\/2R3IW1dL9f<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/7pnfhtEIEC<\/a><\/p>\n![\"Juaron](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/USATSI_20817575_168400534_lowres-300x200.jpg\")
Oklahoma State pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown (23) pitches during a game in the NCAA Stillwater Regional between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Dallas Baptist Patriots at O\u2019Brate Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Credit: \u00a9 NATHAN J. FISH\/THE OKLAHOMAN \/ USA TODAY NETWORK
\nThree Orioles Prospects Who Could Get a Surprise Call-Up This Season
\n1. Juaron Watts-Brown, Right-Handed Pitcher<\/p>\n