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Three Prospects Who Could Make a Surprise Appearance for the 2026 Orioles

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The Baltimore Orioles have had a busy offseason in 2026.

It started with a trade for outfielder Taylor Ward, then the massive five-year deal for first baseman Pete Alonso. They rounded their rotation out shortly after getting Alonso with a trade for Shane Baz from the Tampa Bay Rays. Throwing in some small relievers in Ryan Helsley and Andrew Kittredge, Baltimore’s roster is essentially complete for the American League East.

Still, there is always room for the team to upgrade, especially given their payroll sits at $198 million with $45 million in tax space. The Orioles are still eyeing up Framber Valdez, but they are more than likely done regardless of a move. They also have to take into consideration the rookies and prospects.

Outside of Dylan Beavers and Samuel Basallo, the Orioles have a few prospects they can call up in 2026. Even though their farm system is far weaker than it was a few years ago, there are three names to watch for this upcoming season.

Juaron Watts-Brown
Oklahoma State pitcher Juaron Watts-Brown (23) pitches during a game in the NCAA Stillwater Regional between the Oklahoma State Cowboys (OSU) and the Dallas Baptist Patriots at O’Brate Stadium in Stillwater, Okla., on Saturday, June 3, 2023. Credit: © NATHAN J. FISH/THE OKLAHOMAN / USA TODAY NETWORK

Three Orioles Prospects Who Could Get a Surprise Call-Up This Season

1. Juaron Watts-Brown, Right-Handed Pitcher

2025 Stats (A+/AA): 26 starts; 3-8; 124 1/3 innings pitched; 3.62 ERA; 90 hits and 50 BB (1.126 WHIP); 16 HRs; 158 K; .199 OBA

Juaron Watts-Brown came over to the Orioles in the Seranthony Dominguez trade with the Toronto Blue Jays before the trade deadline. As part of their fire sale, the Orioles sought major pitching upgrades for the future.

The 23-year-old right-hander is graded with a plus-slider and slightly above-average curveball, but needs work on his control. While his fastball tops out at only 96 miles an hour, it has enough movement to generate misses alongside a slow-moving curveball.

Watts-Brown put up solid strikeout numbers, garnering nearly 11 per nine innings and holding a batting average under the Mendoza line. Keeping hits per nine under the average of one per inning also helps his stock. He does have an elevated walk rate and needs to be careful of the long ball in the big leagues.

Another small downside for Watts-Brown is that he needs to generate more ground balls. A ratio of 0.97 is fine, but it would work wonders in getting home run rates down, where he surrendered 10 in 35 innings with Chesapeake. He could find his start in the bullpen if there are more injuries in 2026.

2. Enrique Bradfield Jr., Outfielder

2025 Stats (4 Teams, Rookie-AAA): 264 at-bats; .242/.348/.696; 15 doubles and two triples; three home runs; 19 RBI; 41 BB and 66 K; 36 SB

Baltimore already has a leadoff hitter in Jackson Holliday or Jordan Westburg, but they do stand to benefit from more speed on the basepaths. Enrique Bradfield Jr., while having slumped at the plate in 2025, still has Chandler Simpson-esque traits to his on-base production.

The fourth-ranked prospect in the Orioles system has two specific tools per his scouting report: Baserunning and fielding. His entire report raves about the bases he stole and his fielding, calling it “Gold Glove” potential. The problem is that he just doesn’t have a good arm or an outstanding bat to go along with it.

In the last two years, he stole 110 bases in 184 games, which is definitely a number to take note of. Though his .348 on-base percentage could use a little work, he does have leadoff-hitter qualities. Speed and on-base are the two keys that make a standout leadoff guy. Bradfield Jr. has both.

The only issue for Bradfield Jr. in the Orioles system is that he is in the middle of an outfielder logjam. Ward is a starter alongside Beavers and Colton Cowser, with Tyler O’Neill and Leody Taveras occupying the bench. He needs to see a spot free up and have Heston Kjerstad‘s struggles continue to see any meaningful playing time.

3. Luis De Leon, Left-Handed Pitcher

2025 Stats (3 teams; A-AA): 20 games (18 starts); 87 1/3 innings pitched, 3.30 ERA; 65 hits and 41 BB (1.214 WHIP); 0 HRs; 107 K; .203 OBA

The Orioles lack a dependable second left-handed starter and bullpen option in their staff. A little bit of youth also doesn’t hurt, with Baz being the youngest at 26. Should the bullpen struggle or a significant injury occur, the door could open up for Luis De Leon.

De Leon’s profile features a plus-grade fastball and two average secondary pitches. The fastball can touch the upper 90s, maybe 100, with a sharp slider to boot. The downside for him, per the scouting report, is that his mechanics can really throw him off if they aren’t working. Think Zack Britton and his time with the Orioles: Great when he was on-point, but a high walk risk when he was off.

The 22-year-old rebounded in 2025 after a rocky 2024 season, decreasing his batting average by over 50 points and his WHIP by 38 points. With his 1.92 groundouts-to-airouts ratio, he surrendered no home runs in the season, the third time he’s done that. After surrendering five in 2024, he is returning to form as a dependable ground-ball pitcher.

There is a very good chance De Leon ends up as the closer one day for the Orioles. If Helsley is a success, the 22-year-old could also act as a setup man or a lefty specialist. Regardless, he has a lot of promise with his low home run rate and increasing strikeouts.

 

Main Photo Credit: © Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images