Lefty Keegan Akin and outfielder Ryan Mountcastle may not be the only prospects the Orioles call up to the big leagues this season. Right-handed pitcher Dean Kremer and outfielder Yusniel Diaz could also see Major League action, according to general manager Mike Elias. Akin, Kremer and Diaz are currently working on their skills at the alternate training site in Bowie, Md. 

Akin, Baltimore's No. 13 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, already has big league experience, allowing three runs in three innings earlier this season. Kremer, the club's No. 10 prospect, had a 2.37 ERA during his six games in the Arizona Fall League. If not for the COVID-19 pandemic, Kremer would have pitched for Triple-A Norfolk. Diaz’s work ethic is off the charts, but he may need more experience at Triple-A. He has yet to play beyond Double-A Bowie. Diaz is ranked No. 8 in the organization.

“Those guys on the upper levels are on our radar screen,” Elias said. “… Our plan is to have Keegan Akin back up here this year. I don’t know what his role will be. It could be a mixture of roles, but we still view him as a starting prospect long term.

“Kremer is knocking on the door, too. … He is doing well at the alternate site. Diaz looks really good both offensively and defensively down there at the alternate site. … The attitude and the energy have been good every day. He is not on our 40-man roster yet, so that is something of a consideration when you look at a guy like him. This guy is really close.”