BALTIMORE -- There’s a new manager and a new superstar. There’s a new player development complex. There’s even a “New Oriole Way,” according to that new superstar.
Spring Training in Sarasota, Fla., is going to have a new feel -- and it’s nearly here.
On Monday, the Orioles will unveil their $21 million, 42,500 square-foot player development facility that’s been added to their Ed Smith Stadium complex. Then, pitchers and catchers will report Tuesday, with their first workout occurring Wednesday.
Manager Craig Albernaz will set the tone for his first camp, especially once full-squad workouts begin Feb. 16. Star first baseman Pete Alonso will be there to lead as well.
With the buzz and excitement for the 2026 season continuing to grow, here are some hot topics surrounding the O’s entering camp.
Is the rotation mix finalized?
Eight pitchers on Baltimore’s 40-man roster will compete for rotation spots this spring, while several potential non-roster invitees (such as Albert Suárez and prospect Trey Gibson) could also be in the mix. So there are already more arms than available slots.
But the O’s could still add another starter. They missed out on Framber Valdez, but right-handers Zac Gallen, Justin Verlander and Chris Bassitt are among those who remain unsigned.
At this point, the Orioles’ rotation would consist of Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Dean Kremer and Zach Eflin, who is coming off of back surgery. (If Eflin begins the season on the injured list, then Tyler Wells or Cade Povich could take that spot.)
Perhaps a starter not currently on the roster will be among those to report to Sarasota -- whether that’s at the beginning of camp or later.
The three first basemen
After Baltimore signed Alonso to a five-year, $155 million deal on Dec. 11, it seemed likely either Ryan Mountcastle or Coby Mayo would be traded. Yet, as Spring Training nears, both remain with the Orioles -- and Mountcastle avoided arbitration with a $6.787 million deal that added a $7.5 million team option for 2027.
Unless a trade materializes in the next seven weeks, Mountcastle could be on the 26-man Opening Day roster as a right-handed bench bat capable of filling in at first base and designated hitter. The righty-hitting Mayo is also battling for a spot, and the O’s haven’t ruled out playing the 24-year-old at third base (his former position in the Minors) or possibly corner outfield.
Mayo has one Minor League option remaining, so that could be a factor if the Orioles opt to go in a different direction for their final bench spot.
About that final bench spot ...
Let’s make the following assumptions about Baltimore’s Opening Day lineup/roster:
- Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo are both in the lineup -- one at catcher and the other at designated hitter -- meaning there won’t be a backstop on the bench.
- Either Dylan Beavers (MLB Pipeline’s No. 69 overall prospect) or Tyler O’Neill will be on the bench for the opener, with one sitting as part of the outfield rotation.
- Mountcastle and veteran outfielder Leody Taveras will be on the bench.
That leaves one final bench spot, with Mayo, infielder/outfielder Jeremiah Jackson and outfielder Heston Kjerstad among the candidates -- and each with differing skills.
The left-handed-hitting Kjerstad would give the O’s a bit more right/left balance. But the 26-year-old has struggled in the Majors, hitting .218 with a .649 OPS in 106 games over the past three seasons. Plus, Baltimore’s corner-outfield mix is already crowded.
Jackson may be the early front-runner after hitting .276 with a .775 OPS in his 48-game debut stint in MLB last year. The 25-year-old can already serve as a backup at second base, third and right field, and he could add more positions in Spring Training.
The Polar Bear hype
Baltimore has been buzzing all winter about the arrival of Alonso. The 31-year-old slugger will be garnering attention all spring -- during his first round of batting practice on the backfields, during his first Grapefruit League game in an Orioles uniform and throughout camp.
Everybody wants to see how the O’s lineup looks with Alonso at the heart of it, as well as how the Polar Bear will help a position-player core featuring mostly younger players.
Alonso’s presence will remain a dominant storyline in Orioles camp all spring.
A heated bullpen competition
Only three relievers appear to be locks for the Opening Day roster entering camp: new closer Ryan Helsley, right-hander Andrew Kittredge and lefty Keegan Akin. Five bullpen spots will be up for grabs with a ton of arms in the conversation.
The relief mix features bounce-back candidates (Yennier Cano, Chayce McDermott and Colin Selby), pitchers who showed flashes of success last year (Kade Strowd, Rico Garcia, Dietrich Enns, Grant Wolfram and others), unproven prospects (Anthony Nunez and Cameron Foster) and starters who could get squeezed out of the rotation (Wells, Povich and others).
The fight for bullpen spots could become the most heated position battle in O’s camp.