Five years ago, the only thing that mattered in the Orioles organization was the farm system. Would the team be able to develop a core that could compete, year in and year out? After the team stumbled a year ago, this question remains unanswered. With how Mike Elias has used his farm system lately, the role the prospects will play could be to supplement (or, in time, replace) the current core of players or they might be traded for more established major leaguers.<\/p>\n
We have already seen both of these in action for the 2026 roster. The two top prospects below, Samuel Basallo and Dylan Beavers, are ticketed for the Opening Day roster, with the Orioles having hope that they will compete for the AL Rookie of the Year award and qualify the team for a bonus draft pick. Several other prospects who might have otherwise made this list were traded for Shane Baz, and one was even included in the deal for Blaze Alexander.<\/p>\n
My two big questions for the farm this year: Can they finally look like they\u2019re going to develop some successful major league pitchers? Can the top of the 2024 draft class revive from its severe misfortunes of a year ago?<\/p>\n
This ranking is a composite made up of five different prospect lists. Four of the lists are from mainstream national publications: Baseball America<\/a>, Baseball Prospectus<\/a>, The Athletic<\/a>, and MLB Pipeline<\/a>. One list is local, coming from the Orioles prospect enthusiasts of the On The Verge podcast and Substack<\/a>. As has been the case for a few years, FanGraphs has not produced an Orioles list in time for inclusion in this ranking.<\/p>\n The composite list takes each ranking on the separate lists and averages them together. The ranking below is the direct result of that average. The #1 prospect – Samuel Basallo unanimously, for a second year in a row – is a 1, #2 is a 2, all the way down to 20. Anyone not ranked 1-20 gets a 26 for the purpose of this average. Baseball Prospectus\u2019s list this year is only 15 names, so for that one I have made anyone not ranked 1-15 at 26.<\/p>\n There\u2019s been a good bit of turnover since last year\u2019s list. The top 10 from a year ago has seen one prospect graduation (Coby Mayo), one trade (Michael Forret), and three guys who sank because they stunk (Vance Honeycutt, Chayce McDermott, Griff O\u2019Ferrall). As you\u2019ll see, some new arrivals have debuted highly, while others who\u2019ve been around for a couple of years have worked their way closer to the top.<\/p>\n More turnover is coming, since we can count on Basallo and Beavers at a minimum to graduate from prospect status soon after the season begins. I think that trades will impact this list one way or another as the season goes along as well.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: MLBAge (on July 1, 2026): 21How he got here: International amateur signing, January 2021Where he ranked last year: #1Chances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: As close t0 100% as anything in this worldWhat\u2019s his deal? (from Baseball America)<\/p>\n Basallo boasts elite bat speed and generates significant power to all fields thanks to his advanced bat-to-ball skills. As he continues to mature and gain experience at the plate against higher-level pitching, he is improving at swinging at pitches he can drive rather than ones his contact ability will allow him to get to. \u2026 His flexibility and mobility are good for a catcher of his 6-foot-4, 250-pound dimensions. Basallo\u2019s progress toward mastering the mental and game-calling side of the position, and his consistency in his receiving, will determine his viability at the position.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: MLBAge (on July 1, 2026): 24How he got here: 2022 draft (CBA round)Where he ranked last year: #6Chances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: See previous entryWhat\u2019s his deal? (from MLB Pipeline)<\/p>\n Beavers really figured things out this past year. He cut down his swing-and-miss and did a lot more damage with fastballs compared to his 2024 campaign. He also was much more impactful in zone \u2026 Beavers runs very well and has shown he can be a very efficient basestealer \u2026 He has the chance to fit the profile of an athletic run-producing right fielder with a strong arm well.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: High-A FrederickAge (on July 1, 2026): 20How he got here: 2024 draft (16th round)Where he ranked last year: UnrankedChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from Baseball Prospectus)<\/p>\n George will stick in center field and offers an above-average, hit-over-power offensive projection. He flashes power potential though, and his bat speed beats out his actual present exits, as he can be content to work the opposite field, or stay back on offspeed and try to send it back up-the-middle. Those are already impressive tools to see in a 19-year-old prospect\u2019s belt \u2026 average power will come for George as he both gets stronger and swings with more intent.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: High-A FrederickAge (on July 1, 2026): 22How he got here: 2025 draft (1st round)Where he ranked last year: Not in system yetChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from BA)<\/p>\n Irish controls the strike zone well, has good bat speed and feel for the barrel and rips line drives to all fields when he\u2019s at his best. He uses his whole body and keeps the bat in the zone well. That profile makes him a potentially above-average hitter with above-average power \u2026 The Orioles plan to have him catch while rotating in at first base and right\u2014where his plus arm shines\u2014but he\u2019ll need to improve his blocking and framing as he develops in pro ball to have a future at the position.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Triple-A NorfolkAge (on July 1, 2026): 24How he got here: Undrafted free agent, 2023Where he ranked last year: #15Chances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: 50\/50; more optimistic people would give you a higher numberWhat\u2019s his deal? (from BP)<\/p>\n The 6-foot-5 righty shows a bunch of different looks to batters but mostly works off his four-seam and sinker, both of which sit in the mid-90s. He gets good extension on his fastballs, and while his four-seam is pretty generic, his sinker does show good sink and armside movement \u2026 Gibson has a a deep repertoire and while nothing may be out and out plus, he should be able to navigate a lineup of lefties and righties multiple times.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: High-A FrederickAge (on July 1, 2026): 22How he got here: 2025 draft (compensation pick after 1st round)Where he ranked last year: Not in system yetChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from On The Verge)<\/p>\n Questions about the hit tool may have left some teams docking him a bit, but there\u2019s strong belief that Aloy\u2019s hit tool can progress with better pitch recognition. He\u2019s a large, physical presence who has all the tools necessary to stick at shortstop as he develops the power to hit 20+ home runs a season as one of the better shortstop defenders, if all development goes well, of course. That\u2019s an uber attractive profile, even if he\u2019s a .240 or so hitter.<\/p>\n #7 – OF Enrique Bradfield Jr.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Triple-A NorfolkAge (on July 1, 2026): 24How he got here: 2023 draft (1st round)Where he ranked last year: #3Chances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: 40%What\u2019s his deal? (from Pipeline)<\/p>\n Bradfield\u2019s carrying tool is his 80-grade speed, a game-changing tool that instills nightmares in pitchers and catchers alike. It colors him as a kind of throwback table-setter, with excellent contact skills, little pop, and a penchant for laying down bunts and legging out infield hits. \u2026 He doesn\u2019t drive the ball with much authority, but he can be an impact offensive player if he consistently hits line drives and continues to slash his ground-ball rate.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Low-A DelmarvaAge (on July 1, 2026): 19How he got here: International amateur signing, January 2024Where he ranked last year: UnrankedChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from BP)<\/p>\n Mejia has about the best arm speed of any 18-year-old pitcher you will find. The fastball shape and command is inconsistent, and he throws both a sinker and four-seam at present, but there\u2019s the potential for a ride and run four-seam from a lower release slot. That would miss plenty of bats at higher levels\u2014the pure velocity will suffice at the complex and A-ball ones\u2014but Mejia isn\u2019t a mere velocity merchant at present either \u2026 he has a rather advanced change-up for a teenager that throws 100 mph, a power pitch that can dive below bats.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Double-A ChesapeakeAge (on July 1, 2026): 23How he got here: International amateur signing, December 2021Where he ranked last year: #11Chances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: 10%What\u2019s his deal? (from BA)<\/p>\n De Le\u00f3n\u2019s raw stuff has always been among the best in the Orioles\u2019 system. He boasts a four-seam fastball and two-seamer in the 95-98 mph range that yields a ton of weak, grounded contact. \u2026 De Le\u00f3n\u2019s command has always been inconsistent, but he has good zone rates with his fastball, suggesting it\u2019s a trait that can continue to improve. Even in the zone, De Leon is hard to square up. He didn\u2019t allow a home run in 87.1 innings in 2025.<\/p>\n De Le\u00f3n would have ranked higher on this list except he was left off of Baseball Prospectus\u2019s top 15 list, an outlier among these other rankings. The BP writer who left off De Le\u00f3n said \u201che\u2019s always been very relieverish, so he\u2019s not quite fourth starter enough or close enough as a pen arm.\u201d<\/p>\n Likely starting level: High-A FrederickAge (on July 1, 2026): 20How he got here: O\u2019Hearn\/Laureano trade with Padres, July 2025Where he ranked last year: Not in system yetChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from Pipeline)<\/p>\n Bateman\u2019s stuff befits the enormous high-makeup package it comes in. His fastball can live in the low-to-mid-90s and touched 98 mph during his debut, part of a four-pitch mix that features a pair of breaking balls. \u2026 he is seen as having the aptitude to tackle his developmental needs and potentially add pitches to that mix with time. \u2026 He still has work to do overall to get to average control, though if he gets there, he\u2019ll look like a mid-rotation starter given his ability and pitch mix.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Triple-A NorfolkAge (on July 1, 2026): 24How he got here: 2023 draft (11th round)Where he ranked last year: #8Chances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: 45%What\u2019s his deal? (from BP)<\/p>\n Another Orioles pitching development success story \u2026 German wasn\u2019t particularly good (at Seattle University) \u2026 He\u2019s missed plenty of bats in the pros though. \u2026 German\u2019s four-pitch mix makes him a likely starter.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Double-A Chesapeake (injured list)Age (on July 1, 2026): 25How he got here: 2023 draft (8th round)Where he ranked last year: UnrankedChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from BA)<\/p>\n Bragg added a couple ticks of fastball velocity and a new changeup and was promoted out of High-A Aberdeen to Double-A Chesapeake after just three dominant starts. He ended up with a 1.68 ERA and 11.75 strikeouts per nine with a 1.000 WHIP in 59 minor league innings before requiring Tommy John surgery. \u2026 Bragg\u2019s kick-changeup, a new addition in 2025, is at least above-average and flashes plus. That\u2019s another bat-misser added to a mix that also includes an above-average sweeper and cutter.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Double-A ChesapeakeAge (on July 1, 2026): 21How he got here: International amateur signing, January 2022Where he ranked last year: Honorable mentionChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: 2%What\u2019s his deal? (from On The Verge)<\/p>\n Estrada has shown strong bat-to-ball skills (since his pro debut) \u2026 added strength, muscle, and bat speed have brought out more power in his game \u2026 With a near 80% contact rate, the ability to steal bases at a high clip, and growing power, or at least more impact on his contact to drive more balls into the gaps, Estrada has emerged as a prospect of note \u2026 The groundball rates have improved, but are still high, and he doesn\u2019t have a firm defensive home.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Low-A DelmarvaAge (on July 1, 2026): 22How he got here: 2025 draft (2nd round)Where he ranked last year: Not in system yetChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from Pipeline)<\/p>\n Dzierwa showed real ability to limit walks in college and can pinpoint his entire arsenal wherever he wants, pounding the strike zone and also working the edges well. In terms of total package, it\u2019s a lot to work with. His foundation of size, two potentially plus pitches and command gives him one of the highest floors in the Orioles system as an almost surefire starter, with the development of a reliable breaking pitch determining whether that\u2019s in the middle or the back-end of a big league rotation.<\/p>\n #15 – RHP Juaron Watts-Brown<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Double-A ChesapeakeAge (on July 1, 2026): 24How he got here: Dom\u00ednguez trade with Blue Jays, July 2025Where he ranked last year: Not in system yetChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: 1%What\u2019s his deal? (from BA)<\/p>\n Watts-Brown can pitch in the big leagues in some capacity simply because of his slider, but a starter\u2019s role depends on improving his fastball, be it a different shape or adding velocity, to help him get deep into games at the highest level.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Triple-A NorfolkAge (on July 1, 2026): 24How he got here: 2023 draft (4th round)Where he ranked last year: UnrankedChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: 20%What\u2019s his deal? (from BP)<\/p>\n Wells is currently a starter, but his best fit is in the pen, where he can air out his upper-90s fastball and roll out a cutter and sweeper behind it. This may or may not come in 2026 though, as he\u2019s likely earned a shot to prove the control and command won\u2019t make him another future fourth starter.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Low-A DelmarvaAge (on July 1, 2026): 20How he got here: International amateur signing, December 2023Where he ranked last year: UnrankedChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from Pipeline)<\/p>\n The bat is the carrying tool for Sanchez, a left-handed-hitting outfielder with tremendous raw pop \u2026 When Sanchez connects, he hits the ball hard and rarely puts it on the ground. But there is real swing-and-miss alongside the exit velocity and on-base ability, with Sanchez running a 25 percent career strikeout rate in the low Minors. \u2026 He needs to refine his approach and prove he can hit advanced pitching as he climbs the system.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Double-A ChesapeakeAge (on July 1, 2026): 21How he got here: International amateur signing, January 2022Where he ranked last year: Honorable mentionChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from BA)<\/p>\n Sosa has the makings of a prototypical slugging corner outfielder thanks to his hard contact ability. \u2026 His swing decisions and the swing-and-miss in his game will influence how much of his plus raw power Sosa can get to in a game, and he may end up a below-average hitter as a result. Defensively, Sosa has played some center field but profiles more as a right fielder thanks to average speed and a plus arm.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Low-A DelmarvaAge (on July 1, 2026): 22How he got here: 2025 draft (2nd round)Where he ranked last year: Not in system yetChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: ZeroWhat\u2019s his deal? (from Pipeline)<\/p>\n Quinn is a 6-foot-6 power righty. \u2026 He has a much better grip on his fastball command (compared to off-speed pitches) as he\u2019s able to run that pitch past hitters up in the zone or throw it with downhill plane toward the bottom of the zone to induce ground balls. \u2026 Quinn also operates exclusively from the stretch — all of which gives him the look of a power reliever who would be best running his raw stuff wild in short sprints.<\/p>\n Likely starting level: Triple-A NorfolkAge (on July 1, 2026): 24How he got here: Mullins trade with Mets, July 2025Where he ranked last year: Not in system yetChances of seeing him on the Orioles this year: 95%What\u2019s his deal? (from BA)<\/p>\n Nunez\u2019s pitch mix is the type one would draw up when designing a modern pitcher \u2026 His control is good enough for a high-leverage role\u2014he closed games at Double-A and Triple-A\u2014but he needs to dial in the strike zone in 2026 to ensure that is the case. \u2026 Nunez could be the next (unheralded pitcher) they put into a high-leverage role in relief.<\/p>\n These players appeared on at least one of the lists but did not have sufficient support to crack the composite top 20. July 1 age is in parenthesis.<\/p>\n RHP Chayce McDermott (27) (from BP)<\/p>\n McDermott can touch 99 and has a suite of swing-and-miss secondaries he can deploy. His change has been one of his better ones too, so he can handle multi-inning work with multiple lefties. The walks are still a problem in the pen, but if the stuff plays up a bit, he could settle into a useful relief role.<\/p>\n C\/1B Ethan Anderson (22) (from BA)<\/p>\n Anderson has the potential to be an average hitter thanks to his combination of plate discipline and contact skills \u2026 He\u2019s still growing into his ability to impact the ball in-game, which might ultimately limit his offensive upside and keep him from having more than fringe-average game power. That profile will mean he\u2019ll have to continue what was meaningful improvement behind the plate<\/p>\n RHP Tyson Neighbors (23) (from Pipeline)<\/p>\n The 6-foot-2 Neighbors looks like a potentially electric closer who could move quickly. \u2026 Neighbors is energetic and fiery on the mound, having long grown comfortable pitching in high-leverage situations. He doesn\u2019t issue too many walks for a relief prospect and trusts his stuff enough to work it outside the zone, where it gets whiffs.<\/p>\n SS Wilfri De La Cruz (18) (from BA)<\/p>\n De La Cruz has an attractive offensive profile for several reasons: his swing decisions and lack of whiffs with elevated contact from both sides of the plate give him a chance for an average hit tool moving forward. \u2026 He is also an above-average runner who can be an average defender at shortstop but would fit fine at third base if he outgrows short, given his plus arm.<\/p>\n C Andrew Tess (19) (from On The Verge)<\/p>\n With a strong eye at the plate (17.6% BB rate last season), sneaky speed (18 stolen bases), and a good bit of raw power in the bat, Tess\u2019s offensive performance as an 18-year-old, first-year pro catcher was eye opening and a fun setup for a potential breakout in 2026.<\/p>\n OF Stiven Martinez (19) (from Pipeline)<\/p>\n Martinez shows better on-base ability and can hit the ball harder than most players his age. At 6-foot-4 and nearly 200 pounds, he\u2019s strong and athletic and capable of producing 90th percentile exit velocities as high as 108 mph, which hint at a chance at plus raw power. Martinez generates similar hard-hit metrics as Samuel Basallo did at his age and can drive the ball to all fields.<\/p>\n SS Colin Yeaman (22) (from Pipeline)<\/p>\n Yeaman brings a strong track record of hitting to the Orioles organization. He\u2019s adept at finding the barrel, doesn\u2019t chase and draws walks. He can really punish fastballs, and he puts up good in-zone contact numbers \u2026 He\u2019s a fringy runner who likely won\u2019t be a basestealing threat at the next level.<\/p>\n C\/1B Creed Willems (23) (from On The Verge)<\/p>\n While the bat struggled through the first few years of his career, Willems has dedicated himself to his craft and is coming off a 118 wRC+ season at Double-A during his age 21\/22 season. The power has never been in question (50 HR last three seasons), but the significant drop in strikeouts as he\u2019s moved up the ladder has been comforting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Five years ago, the only thing that mattered in the Orioles organization was the farm system. 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