SARASOTA, Fla. -- The starting pitchers at the Orioles’ big league camp this Spring Training can be easily divided into three tiers:
The locks to make the roster (if healthy): RHP Kyle Bradish, LHP Trevor Rogers, RHP Shane Baz, RHP Chris Bassitt, RHP Dean Kremer, RHP Zach Eflin
The depth pieces/bullpen options: RHP Tyler Wells, LHP Cade Povich, RHP Brandon Young, RHP Albert Suárez
The prospects: RHP Trey Gibson (Baltimore’s No. 9 prospect following the 2025 season), RHP Nestor German (No. 11), LHP Luis De León (No. 18), RHP Levi Wells (No. 19)
None of the four pitching prospects will break camp with the Major League team. They could all end up as rotation-mates at Triple-A Norfolk when the season begins. For them, Spring Training is about making a positive impression on the O’s big league coaching staff.
Have they done that during the first two weeks of Spring Training? Without a doubt.
At various points, manager Craig Albernaz has referred to each of Gibson, German, De León and Wells as “gross.” Fans will learn that’s the highest form of praise a pitcher can receive from the new skipper. It’s his preferred adjective over “filthy” or “disgusting” when describing the type of stuff or the impressive arsenal displayed by a hurler.
It didn’t take long after Albernaz was hired on Oct. 27 to dig deeper into the Orioles’ system, and he quickly realized there were some strong pitching prospects at the top levels of the Minors. So the 43-year-old first-time MLB manager hasn’t been surprised by what he’s seen in camp.
“I did [know], as far as just looking at them on paper and some video, but that doesn’t do it justice when you see it live,” Albernaz said. “That’s what I love about Spring Training, is you get to see these young guys live, up in person, to see what they’ve got. And all those guys have been, to me, better than advertised.”
Each of Baltimore’s four top pitching prospects offers something different. At the same time, Albernaz can’t help but notice a similarity when watching any of them on the mound.
“It’s like, ‘Oh, here’s another guy that throws hard and has elite stuff,’” Albernaz said.
For those who may be unfamiliar, here’s a bit more on each of them:
- Gibson: The 23-year-old won the O’s Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award in 2025, when he climbed three levels and finished at Triple-A. He has a five-pitch mix (sinker, slider, sweeper, cutter, curveball) and threw three scoreless innings in his Grapefruit League debut last Friday vs. the Yankees.
- German: The 23-year-old also pitched at three levels last season, finishing at Triple-A. He throws four pitches (four-seam fastball, slider, changeup,curveball), which he used to strike out four in 2 1/3 scoreless innings vs. the Rays in his first Grapefruit appearance on Wednesday.
- De León: At 22, the Dominican lefty is the youngest of this group, and he has made only three starts at Double-A Chesapeake. But he was electric last year in the Arizona Fall League (posting a 2.76 ERA in five starts), where he showcased an arsenal featuring a high-octane fastball, a slider and a changeup.
- Wells: The 24-year-old took a big step forward in 2025, reaching Triple-A for the first time. His high-90s four-seam fastball is his primary pitch, but he has a vast mix also including a slider, a sinker, a curveball and a cutter.
The prospects aren’t staying in their own lane. They’re observing the big leaguers, chatting with the veterans and trying to learn what it takes to reach that level one day.
“One thing I always try to be aware of is what they’re doing, and then ask them what they’re doing,” De León said via interpreter Brandon Quinones. “Just really trying to learn from them as much as possible so I can try to apply it and do what I can to make it to the bigs one day.”
Of course, it helps to have fellow youngsters alongside them as well.
“It’s been cool riding this ship all together,” Gibson said. “Those guys have made strides all on their own. They’re pretty good dudes and nasty as well.”
“We’re all just trying to help each other and learn from each other as much as possible,” De León added.
The Orioles have had some trouble getting pitching prospects to stick in the Majors in recent memory. Grayson Rodriguez was the only one to become a fixture in the rotation, but he couldn’t stay healthy before getting traded to the Angels in November.
However, any of Gibson, German, De León or Wells could be in the big leagues by later this year. And any of them -- maybe even all of them -- could have long, successful careers.
“Those guys have all the ingredients to be big league starters, and we just want to pour into them,” Albernaz said. “Hopefully, it comes to fruition.”