Bold take: the Orioles’ future might hinge on their pitching depth finally delivering. Good morning, Camden Chatters.
After a day off, the Orioles return to action this afternoon with an exhibition against Team Netherlands, a tune-up for the World Baseball Classic. The Netherlands’ roster features current and former big leaguers like Xander Bogaerts, Ozzie Albies, Jurickson Profar, Ceddanne Rafaela, and Didi Gregorius, plus former Orioles catcher Chadwick Tromp and Sharlon Schoop (Jonathan’s brother) in the mix. It’s a heavyweight lineup for a spring showcase, but unfortunately this game won’t be televised anywhere.
MLB.com has joined the wave of outlets unveiling top Orioles prospects, and the list looks familiar in all the right ways. Samuel Basallo sits at No. 1, with Dylan Beavers and Nate George close behind, mirroring other publications’ rankings. Enrique Bradfield Jr. has slipped to No. 10 this year after sitting at No. 4 last season, though his elite speed still earns him a maximum 80-grade on the 20-80 scouting scale. Yes, he’s rapid.
A striking theme across the top-30 is how heavy it is on pitching. Only three pitchers land in the top 10 (Luis De León at No. 4, Trey Gibson No. 5, Esteban Mejia No. 8), but after No. 8 the list becomes dominated by pitchers from No. 11 through No. 17. That represents a notable shift from the recent pattern, where position players often outnumber pitchers in the rankings. MLB’s two years ago list had no Orioles pitchers in the top eight, and in 2023–2024 they had just three pitchers in the top 15.
The truth is, developing pitching has been a challenge for the Orioles in the Mike Elias era. Still, there are promising signs. The 2023–24 deadline turnover brought in young arms like Boston Bateman (No. 11), Juaron Watts-Brown (No. 16), and Tyson Neighbors (No. 17). Two 2025-drafted hurlers—Joseph Dzierwa (No. 14) and JT Quinn (No. 21)—also appear on the list.
Of course, turning these raw talents into big-league starters is the real test. The organization has seen shaky debuts from top pitching prospects Cade Povich and Chayce McDermott, reminding everyone that not all arms will make it. Yet with deeper pitching depth than in years past, the odds improve that a handful of these prospects will break through, even if others don’t pan out.
Dare we say it? The Orioles could finally be on the cusp of sustained pitching development.
Links
I’m rooting for Rico in the WBC, with a cautious wish that he stays healthy in the process.
It’s surprising that Danny Coulombe remains unsigned less than a month before Opening Day, and apparently I’m not alone in thinking so.
I still believe the Coby Mayo-at-third-base idea is unlikely to work out, but there’s no turning back now. With no obvious internal alternative, we’re left cheering for Mayo to figure it out at the hot corner.
Orioles birthdays and history
Today happens to be a birthday stretch for a few Orioles alumni. If you know more than two of these names, you’re a true Orioles enthusiast: José Rondón (born March 3, 1989), Dilson Herrera (born March 3, 1993), Bobby Muñoz (born March 3, 1968), and the late Francisco de la Rosa (born March 3, 1966, died 2011), who pitched two games in 1991. Other notes: former closer Jorge Julio (born March 3, 1979) and the late Jesse Jefferson (born March 3, 1949, died 2011) also share this date.
March 3 has historically been a quieter day for Orioles moves. The lone on-this-date transaction on record is in 2018, when Baltimore signed infielder Danny Valencia to a minor league deal. Valencia had contributed an .888 OPS in part-time duty for the Orioles five years earlier, but his return engagement didn’t pan out—he posted a .723 OPS in 78 games in 2018 before being released in mid-August.
Thought-provoking question: with the current emphasis on pitching depth, should the Orioles push more aggressively to convert pitching prospects into relievers in the majors, or should they prioritize mold-breaking starters who can anchor a rotation for a decade? Share your thoughts and which names you’d most like to see reach the big leagues.
