This offseason, the Orioles acted like a team focused on the present. They gave out a big contract to a slugger on the \u201cwrong side\u201d of thirty. They traded a pitcher with four years of control for an outfielder that will be gone in a year. And they swapped a package of four prospects and one pick for a pitcher they hope will work out. It was a lot of movement, and much of it was done with 2026 in mind.<\/p>\n
But as the team\u2019s president of baseball operations Mike Elias has explained throughout his tenure, he doesn\u2019t make moves without considering the ripple effects. Trading away too many young players at once in pursuit of a short-term advantage will weaken the future. And Elias has told the fanbase that the full teardown and rebuild of the organization we experienced from 2019-21 was a one-time thing. Moving forward, he wants to win at the big league level while maintaining a \u201cpipeline\u201d of talent that constantly replenishes the roster in Baltimore.<\/p>\n
The degree to which all of that has panned out to this point can be argued. The Orioles organization certainly feels stronger now than it was when Elias entered the fold. But the team\u2019s lack of a playoff win and their steep dropoff in 2025 may have left a sour taste in the mouth of those that are tired of Elias\u2019 theory of team building. A bounce back in the season ahead, including a deep-ish playoff run, could win him back some supporters.<\/p>\n
On paper (which is all we have until games start), the Orioles are a solid major league squad entering the 2026 campaign. Most outlets project them for 85-87 wins, which would represent at least a 10-win improvement from 2025. If they are competitive, you would imagine Elias will supplement them with a few in-season additions that could add to that total. So in Elias\u2019 mind, he has checked the box of building a competitive big league roster.<\/p>\n
As the O\u2019s have improved in the majors, the focus locally has understandably shifted away from the minors. But the talent level down on the farm is just as crucial to Elias\u2019 philosophy. They don\u2019t need to have the absolute top-ranked prospects, as they did when the likes of Gunnar Henderson and Adley Rutschman were coming up, but the organization does need to churn out worthwhile youngsters in order to avoid any of those lengthy dips in form up in Baltimore.<\/p>\n
So, how does the future look? Not bad!<\/p>\n
Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers are widely considered Top 100 prospects. Basallo has already signed a long-term deal to be a slugger in the middle of the Orioles lineup for years to come. He\u2019s got a solid .333\/.455\/444 line this spring. Beavers had a huge season in Triple-A last year, forcing those in the industry to take notice. Both of them are among the favorites to win Rookie of the Year, which would net the Orioles a draft pick in the process.<\/p>\n
Don\u2019t forget about Coby Mayo, a former top prospect in his own right, has plenty of years of team control remaining. Suddenly, the 24-year-old looks like one of the most important players on the team. He is going to get lots of playing time with Jordan Westburg on the shelf. So far this spring he is 8-for-19 with only one strikeout.<\/p>\n
Outfielder Nate George and pitcher Trey Gibson won\u2019t make as immediate of an impact, but they have both made it onto radars around the league in the last year. Some outlets have them listed among their \u201cTop 100\u201d prospects, or thereabouts. The Orioles have given each a taste of big league camp this year and they are viewed as future impact players for the club<\/p>\n
Some newer faces are also flashing. Ike Irish, the O\u2019s top pick in last year\u2019s draft, is 4-for-4 in big league camp. Wehiwa Aloy, another high pick from 2025, is 2-for-3 with a walk and has gotten rave reviews out of camp. And there is, of course, the crazy line from Vance Honeycutt; 5-for-6 with four home runs.<\/p>\n
On top of that, we are still waiting for the wave of talent to come from the Orioles, led by Elias, finally getting involved in Latin America. Basallo is the first major arrival, but more are coming. Lefty Luis De Le\u00f3n could make it to Baltimore this summer. Infielder Aron Estrada could be here the year after. And big righty Esteban Mejia is one to watch with his big fastball. Oh, and the Orioles just signed one of the best classes of international free agents back in January<\/a>.<\/p>\n