2025 ultimately went down as a disappointment for the Orioles. Despite an exciting young core, Baltimore missed the playoffs and were forced into selling assets at the deadline. The silver lining of that situation is that they were able to acquire solid prospect capital, and have used the extra depth, as well as a solid draft class to retool for 2026.
The Shane Baz return, four players who were all in the organization’s Top 30, hardly made a dent in terms of quantity of talent in the system. Baltimore still has an abundance of promise in their minor league system who are poised to join Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg and the other graduates on the roster. There are simply too many names to fit on one roster (or in a top-20), so some will undoubtedly be wearing new uniforms before debuting, but they’re still worth keeping an eye on for dynasty managers now.
Top Orioles Prospects
The Top Tier
1) Samuel Basallo, 21 Y/O C
MiLB Stats: .270 AVG/.377 OBP/.589 SLG/23 HR/0 SB/23.7% K/13.7% BB
MLB Stats: .165 AVG/.229 OBP/.330 SLG/4 HR/0 SB/25.4% K/5.1% BB
Basallo should have graduated last season, but the Orioles opted to keep their top prospect in Triple-A until mid-August. Until his call-up, Basallo was arguably the best hitter at his level, despite being over six years younger than his average competitor. The 20-year-old mashed 23 home runs in 76 games (45 HR pace over 150 games) to go with a .966 OPS and 151 wRC+. While the production didn’t immediately translate into his performance in the majors, he showed flashes of what’s to come. He registered average marks in barrel rate (8.9%) and hard hit rate (43%) while posting an elite 75 miles per hour swing speed.
Those marks give Basallo a solid foundation to build on going into 2026, and the underlying data indicates that the power will translate. He kept his fly ball rate consistent between Triple-A (40%) and the majors (40.5%), while pulling the ball significantly more with Baltimore (48%, nine points higher than in Triple-A). The strikeouts will be something to monitor, as Basallo was very swing happy with the big league club (70.7% Z-Swing, 14% SwStr) and expanded the zone too often (38.7% Chase). Even with those concerns, Basallo’s power offsets the risk, and his hit tool is good enough to keep him in the lineup (.283 career AVG in MiLB). He may not reach the heights of the benchmark set by Cal Raleigh last season, but 40+ home runs is far from out of the question for MLB’s #7 prospect.
2) Dylan Beavers – 24 Y/O OF
MiLB Stats: .304 AVG/.420 OBP/.515 SLG/18 HR/23 SB/18.2% K/16.3% BB
MLB Stats: .227 AVG/.375 OBP/.400 SLG/4 HR/2 SB/26.3% K/19% BB
Only one player posted a 150+ wRC+ in Triple-A (min. 200 PAs) and a 125 wRC+ after their promotion to the big leagues (min. 100 PAs). That player was Dylan Beavers. The 24-year-old is on the cusp of graduating from prospect status and will have plenty of chances to do so early in 2026. The additions of Pete Alonso and Taylor Ward have moved Beavers into the bottom half of the Orioles’ batting order, but he has the tools and track record to be a valuable dynasty asset in 2026 and beyond.
The best tool in Beavers’ game is his plate discipline. Beavers’ walk rate led all MLB hitters (min. 100 PA’s), which is a testament to his excellent understanding of the strike zone (18.9% Chase). Beavers doesn’t have the eye-popping batted ball numbers that Basallo does, but he still creates production. His approach, with an average ability to create good contact (9.3% Barrel) and 26.7% AirPull, allows him to outproduce his 28% Hard Hit rate and .213 xBA. Beavers is a threat on the basepaths, too. He stole 54 in 219 MiLB games between 2024 and 2025 (36 in 150 games). If Baltimore deploys him every day, he’s a 20/20 threat with legitimate upside in both categories.
3) Wehiwa Aloy – 21 Y/O SS
MiLB Stats: .288 AVG/.356 OBP/.500 SLG/2 HR/6 SB/27.8% K/8.9% BB
The 21-year-old shortstop was one of my favorite players to watch in college baseball last season. Aloy was a key piece in Arkansas’ College World Series run, hitting 21 home runs with a 1.107 OPS. He fell all the way to pick #31 in the Draft despite winning the Golden Spikes Award. Aloy’s power stands out immediately. He generates good bat speed from his 6’2″, 200 lb frame, and can drive the ball especially well to his pull side. Eight home runs and a .994 OPS in 21 games in the Cape League is a testament to how his power stroke will translate with a wood bat as a professional.
The biggest knocks on Aloy’s game were his swing mechanics and his approach pre-Draft. Aloy’s swing is long and can lead to whiffs (12.6% SwStr), although a 27.8% strikeout rate in his first taste of professional baseball isn’t terrible. In that stint, he was arguably too patient. 23% of his CSW% (35.6%) was due to called strikes. His understanding of the zone will develop with more time in the organization, which will help him better showcase his tools. Despite the drawbacks, the power potential Aloy presents as a shortstop makes him a valuable dynasty asset.
4) Ike Irish – 22 Y/O C/1B/OF
MiLB Stats: .230 AVG/.296 OBP/.297 SLG/1 HR/3 SB/23.5% K/7.4% BB
The Orioles had to feel like a kid on Christmas morning when Ike Irish fell into their lap at pick #19 in the 2025 Draft. The 22-year-old was one of the best hitters in the SEC with Auburn last year, posting a top-ten mark in wRC+ (152, 3rd), wOBA (.499, 3rd), ISO (.346, 6th), and OBP (.469, 6th). He’s the ideal blend of the tools teams look for in a college bat. He flashes plus power (19 HR, 9th in SEC) while maintaining his ability to take walks and put the bat on the ball.
The transition to the professional ranks was tough sledding for Irish. He posted an 81 wRC+ and .594 OPS after signing. However, his 62 games in the Cape League indicate his wood bat production will come around (.811 OPS in 251 PAs). Irish has already begun to hit to his pull-side as a pro (45.5%), but he needs to get the ball in the air more consistently (32.1% FB). If he’s able to do that, the pull-side power he demonstrated in the SEC should materialize for him. He’s spent time at catcher as a professional, but Irish could land at first or in a corner outfield spot, which could lower his value. As a catcher, there’s plenty of offensive upside in his game to be excited about.
5) Boston Bateman – 20 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats: 87.0 IP/4.14 ERA/24.7% K/10.0% BB
Anytime a 6’8″, 240 lb, left-hander throws in the upper 90s, my interest is piqued. Bateman is far from a finished product, but with the right development, he has the toolkit to be a dominant starter in the future. The combination of frame and velocity stands out immediately. Upper 90s velocity from a lefty on its own isn’t that rare anymore, but when it’s coming from a unique arm slot/release point that Bateman’s able to create with his size, it becomes a plus offering. He supplements the heater with a sweep-heavy slider that can be a threat against righties and lefties. Improving his changeup would benefit him as he faces better competition, but the raw tools are there for him to build on.
Bateman’s 2025 performance indicates just that. Raw tools. He was able to maintain a high strikeout rate due to his plus stuff, but he needs more polish. After being traded to the O’s at the deadline, he made two appearances and had a 2.45 ERA in Single-A before being moved up to High-A. He struggled against higher competition, though, walking almost 20% of the batters he faced and posting a 5.56 ERA in 11.1 IP. The silving lining? He hit a new career-high in K/9 (10.32) and dropped his fly-ball rate by 17%. All of these numbers should be taken with a grain of salt due to sample size, but they’re an indication that he’s capable of getting good results. Bateman makes a solid case to be considered the highest-ceiling pitcher in the Orioles system, and could break out in a big way in 2026.
6) Trey Gibson – 23 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats: 120.1 IP/4.26 ERA/32.3% K/8.6% BB
In a section dominated by high draft picks, Gibson is the outlier. He went undrafted in the 2023 Draft and signed with the Orioles after two unremarkable seasons with Liberty and a bad summer on the Cape. The Orioles saw something they liked, though, and he quickly established himself as a productive young pitcher. Gibson struck out 32% of the batters he faced this year with a 2.72 xFIP in 2025, although he was hit hard in Triple-A (7.98 ERA).
The underlying numbers in Triple-A were rough (86.3% Z-Con, 42.6% Hard Hit), and his swinging strike rate (10.8%) was well below average for pitchers at the level. The good news is that it allowed us to get Statcast data on Gibson’s unique arsenal.
https://x.com/PitcherList/status/2009002074135257228
As Nick states, it’s “really weird”. Gibson’s six pitch mix includes four offerings moving to the glove side. None of those offerings had a whiff rate above 30%. Statistically, his best pitch is the four-seamer (28.8% Whiff, 6.3% Barrel), although it comes with a 62.5% Hard Hit rate.
Despite his struggles in Triple-A, there’s reason to believe he’ll rebound. Gibson’s BABIP was absurdly high in Triple-A (.404), and his xFIP showed a much less disturbing 3.80 in comparison to his ERA. His track record of success in the minors and his funky pitch mix make him an intriguing arm who could be a middle-of-the-rotation starter within the next year.
7) Enrique Bradfield Jr. – 23 Y/O OF
MiLB Stats: .242/ AVG/.348 OBP/.348 SLG/3 HR/36 SB/21.2% K/13.1% BB
The 24-year-old outfielder was taken in the first round of the 2023 Draft to be a speed-first, contact-oriented hitter. Bradfield Jr. still profiles as that type of player. His most valuable trait will continue to be his speed. Bradfield Jr. posted 74 steals in his first full season, and followed that with 36 in 76 games in 2025. A hamstring injury kept him out for a significant chunk of the season. If that injury has any lasting effect on Bradfield’s ability to steal bases, he could tumble down this list. However, for now, he’s still stealing over 70 bases per 150 games in the minors.
That puts him in “outlier” territory. Only five players have stolen 60+ bases since 2015, and only one of them has a wRC+ below 90 (2023 Esteury Ruiz). Considering Bradfield Jr. has shown plus bat-to-ball skills (89.9% Z-Con) and an average understanding of the strike zone (26.7% Chase), he should create enough contact for his legs to create chaos. There’s some sneaky pop in his bat, as he added three home runs, but his other 17 extra-base hits can be attributed to his legs more than his power. If Bradfield can keep his average around .250 and his OPS above .700, he’ll be a valuable fantasy asset because of the stolen base upside he represents.
Prospects Dynasty Managers Should Know
8) Esteban Mejia – 18 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats: 52.0 IP/2.94 ERA/29.5% K/13.7% BB
If Mejia can cut down on the walks, he has the potential to be a rotation-topper in the next half-decade. He struck out almost 30% of the batters he faced between the Complex and Single-A as a teenager, and has yet to allow a professional home run. Various sources reported that Mejia’s fastball has reached 102 miles an hour and sits comfortably in the upper-90s. While the slider and changeup don’t project to be as good as the heater, there’s plenty of time to work on them before he debuts in the majors. The next steps for Mejia will be cutting down on the free passes (13.7% BB), but he has the toolkit to become a legitimate top-100 prospect in the next few years.
9) Nate George – 19 Y/O OF
MiLB Stats: .337 AVG/.413 OBP/.483 SLG/5 HR/50 SB/16.8% K/10.3% BB
The 19-year-old outfielder broke out in a big way in 2025, firmly planting himself on the dynasty radar. His 50 steals stand out immediately, but he has considerable power and bat-to-ball ability that make him much more than just a threat on the basepaths. His .146 ISO and 11.8% swinging strike rate both rank 5th among qualified full-season outfielders in the system. He added 23 extra base hits (nine triples) to his five home runs, a testament to the power he can provide. If he can adjust his approach to turn more grounders (46.7% GB) into fly balls (28.6% FB, 40.2% Pull), he can tap into the power his 6’2″, 200-pound frame can generate with his plus bat speed. George should reach Double-A (or even Triple-A) in 2026, and is on track to factor into Baltimore’s plans in 2027.
10) Luis De León – 22 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats: 87.1 IP/3.30 ERA/28.5% K/10.9% BB
Dynasty managers may have started to follow De Leon after a solid stint in the Arizona Fall League. The 22-year-old southpaw struck out 22 hitters in 16.1 IP, pitching to a 2.76 ERA in five outings. That followed a solid 2025 regular season in which De Leon posted a 2.59 FIP and 3.30 ERA between three levels. That included a three-start run in AA in which he struck out over 35% of the batters he faced. His calling card has, and likely will continue to be, his mid-80s wipeout slider with heavy sweep and tons of vertical drop. His fastball and changeup are fine for now, but he will need some work to be effective against better competition. Command has also been an issue, although he improved his walk rate between 2024 (12%) and 2025 (10.9%). De Leon projects comfortably as a #3/#4 starter going forward if he continues on his trajectory.
11) Elvin Garcia, 18 Y/O INF
MiLB Stats: .234 AVG/.365 OBP/.330 SLG/1 HR/1 SB/36.5% K/14.8% BB
Two words come to mind when watching Garcia. Projectability and volatility. He’s a 6’2″ switch-hitter who posted a 155 wRC+ in 2024 in the DSL. Garcia made the move to the States this year, but struggled to make a similar impact (.354 wOBA). The projectability comes from Garcia’s ability to pull the ball (37.7% Pull in ’25) and hit the ball in the air (39.2% FB). While it hasn’t resulted in home runs, his slender frame indicates there’s room to add more pop as he matures. The volatility resides in his strikeout issues. Garcia’s swinging strike rate has been over 20% throughout his career, and his contact rate is strikingly low (56.5%). It’s equally likely that Garcia could jump into the top five next year with a strong 2026 or fall out of dynasty relevance entirely.
12) Nestor German – 23 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats: 123.2 IP/3.93 ERA/28% K/9% BB
German, along with De Leon and the next name on this list, has created their own mini-tier in these rankings. All three projects are expected to be back-end starters if their production remains consistent, but none have a “wow” factor that makes me think they’ll take another leap. Of the three, German makes a compelling case as the “safest” pitcher in the tier. His fastball/changeup combination is his best feature. The mid-90s heater and high-fade change play off each other well, and the offspeed generated a high whiff rate (58%) in his two Triple-A starts. He has a near-gyro slider and vertical-heavy curve, too, both with whiff rates above 38%. His next step will be locating those pitches consistently while minimizing hard contact (45.5% Hard Hit in Triple-A) against better competition. If he can do that, he’ll factor into the O’s rotation picture as soon as late-2026.
13) Juaron Watts-Brown – 23 Y/O SP
MiLB Stats: 124.1 IP/3.62 ERA/30.7% K/9.7% BB
Despite not possessing elite stuff or a true outlier pitch, Watts-Brown has established himself as a legitimate candidate for a rotation spot in Baltimore in the future. His fastball isn’t overpowering at 92-94, but his secondaries make up for it. He has two distinct breaking balls, a tight slider and a loopier curveball with more vertical action, both 60-grade per Fangraphs. They grade his low-80s changeup at 40, but it generates good results due to the horizontal fade and velocity difference. That arsenal has propelled him to an 11.4 career K/9 to go with a 4.12 ERA in 47 starts. That ERA is indicative of his drawbacks. He can get hit hard (2.55 HR/9 with BAL), and he can allow too many free passes (4.4 BB/9 in career). Those aspects limit his ceiling to more of a back-half-of-the-rotation starter, but his arsenal should allow him to reach that level.
14) Colin Yeaman – 21 Y/O SS
MiLB Stats: .185 AVG/.366 OBP/.204 SLG/0 HR/2 SB/23.6% K/13.9% BB
The O’s took Yeaman in the 4th round in 2025, and he’s already looking like a bargain. The 21-year-old posted a 153 wRC+ with 13 home runs in 60 games for UC Irvine before being drafted. At 6’2″, 200 lbs, he has the frame to showcase similar power as a pro. Since joining the professional ranks, his production has taken a step back, but he’s kept his walk rate high and the strikeouts in check. Despite a .570 OPS, Yeaman still managed a 94 wRC+ in Single-A. If his BABIP (.263) and ISO (.019) regress towards the numbers he posted in college, Yeaman’s production will rebound and then some. With a full offseason as a professional to improve, that’s within the realm of possibility. There is volatility with Yeaman’s value depending on where you project his defensive home, but there’s a possibility he remains at short going forward.
15) Griff O’Ferrall – 22 Y/O SS
MiLB Stats: .228 AVG/.322 OBP/.304 SLG/4 HR/44 SB/14.9% K/11.4% BB
The former first-round pick is a contact-first, glove-second shortstop who should reach Triple-A at some point this season. O’Ferrall posted an 86% contact rate with a 5.8% SwStr between High-A and Double-A last year, and played over 600 innings at short. His power tool will be key to unlocking another level. He pulls the ball at a high rate (44%), despite an average fly ball rate (34.6%). If he can tap into another level and get to the 10-15 home run range, O’Ferrall could fly up fantasy rankings next year. For now, he presents himself as a high-OBP/SB type of player.
The Next Five
Although these prospects do not crack the Top 15, dynasty managers should keep their eyes on these five players.
Levi Wells – 24-year-old with a five-pitch mix with at least 14% usage on all of them. Struggled to induce whiffs (17.8% strikeout rate) and limit free passes (14.4% BB) in five Triple-A starts. Wells could factor in the latter half of the rotation or as a long reliever in the majors in 2026.
Braxton Bragg – Underwent Tommy John surgery at the end of July after a 1.68 ERA between A+ and Double-A. Likely won’t be a factor in 2026, but could be a late bloomer as a rotation candidate once he returns from injury.
Stiven Martinez – Reached Single-A as a 17-year-old in 2025 after a 138 wRC+ in the DSL to start the year. Has the frame to be a slugging corner outfielder (6’4″, 198 lbs), but needs to limit the strikeouts in full-season ball (48.4% K in 25 Single-A games).
Joseph Dzierwa – 6’8″ southpaw who posted a 2.36 ERA as the best pitcher in the Big Ten last year. Sits in the mid-90s from a 3/4 slot. Utilizes a slider, changeup, and cutter as well. Could be a breakout arm with a 2027/2028 ETA.
Wilfri De La Cruz – Joined the O’s in the Andrew Kittredge deal. 18-year-old 6’2″ switch-hitting infielder with a 142 wRC+ in the DSL last year. High fly ball rate (46.8%) and pull rate (46.9%) with an okay contact rate (74.4%). Could jump into dynasty relevance if the power tool develops into 15+ homer power.
