Baseball America has unveiled its ranking of the top 10 prospects in the Baltimore Orioles system entering 2026, led by catcher Samuel Basallo. Basallo, a middle-of-the-order thumper who has already reached the major leagues, projects as an impactful everyday player regardless of position. The list highlights the depth of Baltimore's farm system, with a chat hosted by Jon Meoli scheduled for 2 p.m. ET to discuss the rankings.
The Baltimore Orioles' prospect pipeline remains strong heading into 2026, as detailed in Baseball America's latest rankings. At the top is Samuel Basallo, described as a power-hitting catcher capable of contributing significantly in the lineup. The full top 10 prospects feature updated scouting reports for each player, emphasizing their potential roles in the organization.
Projected 2029 Lineup
Looking ahead, the Orioles' projected lineup for 2029 showcases a blend of current stars and emerging talents:
- Catcher: Adley Rutschman (31)
- First Base: Coby Mayo (27)
- Second Base: Jackson Holliday (25)
- Third Base: Jordan Westburg (30)
- Shortstop: Gunnar Henderson (28)
- Left Field: Dylan Beavers (27)
- Center Field: Enrique Bradfield Jr. (27)
- Right Field: Colton Cowser (29)
- Designated Hitter: Samuel Basallo (24)
The rotation includes No. 1 Starter Kyle Bradish (32), No. 2 Trevor Rogers (31), No. 3 Tyler Wells (34), No. 4 Trey Gibson (27), No. 5 Luis De Leon (26), with Felix Bautista (34) as closer.
Best Tools in the System
The rankings also identify standout tools among prospects:
- Best Hitter: Nate George
- Best Power Hitter: Samuel Basallo
- Best Strike-Zone Discipline: Dylan Beavers
- Fastest Baserunner: Enrique Bradfield Jr.
- Best Athlete: Nate George
- Best Fastball: Esteban Mejia
- Best Curveball: Trey Gibson
- Best Slider: Trey Gibson
- Best Changeup: Nestor German
- Best Control: Michael Forret
- Best Defensive Catcher: Caden Bodine
- Best Defensive Infielder: Griff O’Ferrall
- Best Infield Arm: Joshua Liranzo
- Best Defensive Outfielder: Enrique Bradfield Jr.
- Best Outfield Arm: Jud Fabian
This evaluation underscores the Orioles' focus on building a competitive roster through player development.