The 2026 season brought many changes to the Orioles’ prospect rankings. The movement of players in and out of the organization this year- whether that be by way of trading, drafting, or graduating prospect status- has revamped the Baltimore farm system.
The Orioles now have five players in the MLB Pipeline Top 100 rankings: OF Eric Booth Jr. (No. 37), RHP Anthony Eyanson (No. 46), LHP Joseph Dzierwa (No. 86), LHP Caden Hunter (No. 94), and OF/1B Ike Irish (No. 97).
The Orioles Top 30 saw several changes this season, starting with the MLB promotions of C/1B Samuel Basallo, 3B/1B Coby Mayo, OF Dylan Beavers, and RHP Brandon Young. Other notable drops from Baltimore’s top prospects from 2025 include: RHP Chayce McDermott (DFA, trade with LAD), OF Vance Honeycutt (fall from rankings), and RHP Cameron Weston (DFA, claimed by NYM).
Baltimore did bring some big-time talent into the system, however, headlined by the August 3, 2026, trade of C Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox for Boston’s No. 2 prospect, RHP Anthony Eyanson, No. 4 RHP Kyson Witherspoon, No. 5 OF Enddy Azocar, and No. 17 OF Harold Rivas. Eyanson (BAL No.2/MLB No. 46) dominated in six games with Double-A Chesapeake, posting a 2.03 ERA with 47 strikeouts in 31.0 innings pitched and earned
They also brought in promising young talent through the MLB Draft by taking OF Eric Booth Jr. (BAL No. 1) seventh overall, OF Ty Head (BAL No. 15) 46th overall, and OF Kevin Roberts Jr. (BAL No. 29) 110th overall. Booth’s athletic prowess earned him the top spot in the Orioles prospect rankings and 37th in the MLB top 100.
Baltimore saw incredible success from two of their big left-handed arms. Joseph Dzierwa BAL No. 3/MLB No. 86), a second-round pick last season, solidified himself as an absolute force on the mound after pitching to the tune of a 2.27 ERA with 149 strikeouts over 26 games between High-A Fredrick and Double-A Chesapeake. He led the minors in opponent average (.186) and WHIP (0.90) while ranking second in ERA (2.27). Caden Hunter (BAL No. 4/MLB No. 94), who was drafted in the sixth round last year, posted a 2.01 ERA with 151 strikeouts over three levels of the Orioles’ system (Single-A Delmarva, High-A Fredrick, and Double-A Chesapeake).
Many of Baltimore’s top prospects from last year also saw promotion this season. RHP Trey Gibson (BAL No. 17), who was named Baltimore’s Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year Award last season, made his MLB Debut for the Orioles on May 3, 2026. Gibson recorded a 6.13 ERA in nine games with the big-league club, and a 4.32 ERA in 20 starts with Triple-A Norfolk. LHP Luis De León (BAL No. 7) also made his MLB debut for the O’s this season on September 1. De León started the season with Double-A Chesapeake before making the jump to Triple-A Norfolk in August and then getting the call to The Show in September to aid them in a playoff push. He posted a 1.93 ERA and 0.75 WHIP in 8 games with the Orioles and a 4.73 ERA in 26 games across two levels of the minors.
2B/OF Aron Estrada (BAL No. 13) made the jump to Triple-A Norfolk this season, where he batted .350 with a .909 OPS in five games with the Tides. At 21 years and 244 days old, Estrada was the second-youngest player to play for Norfolk this season. Before his promotion, Estrada ranked among Eastern League Leaders in homers (3rd), hits (4th, 130), RBI (5th), extra-base hits (T-6th, 46), batting average (8th), and slugging percentage (8th). C/1B Ethan Anderson (BAL No. 16) batted .389 with a 1.309 OPS and four XBH in five games with Triple-A Norfolk to end the season. In 82 games with the Baysox, he hit .271 with 60 runs, 12 doubles, 21 home runs, 47 RBI, 41 walks, and slashed .363/.518/.881.
**OF Enrique Bradfield Jr. (**BAL No. 18) batted .263 in 88 games in Triple-A this year. He racked up 36 stolen bases, which broke an Orioles-affiliate single-season record. Bradfield has always been known for his plus-rated defense and speed, but his health was what was holding him back. His 98 games played over three levels is the second most he has played in his minor league career behind his 108 in 2024. C/1B Creed Willems (BAL No. 28) had a big season with Triple-A Norfolk, where he batted .254 with a .761 OPS and ranked first on the team in home runs (19) and second in RBI (67). He joined the Orioles’ taxi squad to end the season to get some experience around the big-league team. RHP Nestor German (BAL No. 21) posted a 4.08 ERA and 120 strikeouts in 24 games with Norfolk before being placed on the injured list to end August. Prior to his injury, German ranked second in the International League in strikeouts.
Going into 2027, Baltimore is hoping that these players will continue to develop and produce at a high level. The goal is that many of these players will be able to aid the big-league club in coming seasons and be the talent they need to get over the hump and win their first World Series since 1983. Continue to keep a close eye on the Orioles’ system, because this might be one of the deepest farms in the league.
View the full list here: