2 unsung Orioles prospects that can finally make name for themselves in spring training

For any organization the list of spring training non-roster invitees is always an eclectic group. The Baltimore Orioles are no different; their list of invitees includes many of their top prospects on the verge of a call-up, a couple of veterans hoping to prove they're still major league caliber, and several lesser-known prospects hoping to impress when they get their shot. Two of these lesser-known prospects are worth keeping an especially close eye on.

Already, the Orioles infield depth is being tested by the Jackson Holliday injury; on top of that bad news, it was also announced that Jordan Westburg is dealing with an oblique injury. Although Mike Elias told the media that Westburg had turned a corner, the Orioles are famously not especially forthcoming about injuries, and it wouldn't be at all surprising if that injury lingered. Last year, they announced that Grayson Rodriguez was purposely throwing slow 89 mph fastballs, and then he missed the entire season.

Spring training will serve as a proving ground for certain less known Orioles prospects

With that in mind, how Aron Estrada and Payton Eeles look this spring training could be a big deal. An impressive showing could lead to them being considered viable depth pieces in the case of cluster injuries in the infield.

Aron Estrada

Estrada is primarily a second baseman, although throughout his minor league career, he's played every position except for catcher and first base. At the plate, he's a contact-oriented switch hitter who walks enough that his current lack of home run power is not a real issue. He's also a threat on the bases; in 2025, he stole 34 bases in 40 attempts across 108 total games.

When it comes to young prospects who rely on their hit tool and plate discipline, seeing how they perform against the highest level of pitching is important. If the young player looks overwhelmed and the hit tool collapses, and then because they're not hitting, they stop walking, then that tells the team what they need to know as far as "can this guy help us this year?"

Right now, Estrada can go either way. A strong spring training could lead to a quick Triple-A promotion to start the year, and then he'd be a just barely 21-year-old prospect on the doorstep of the majors. He'd become a name that most Orioles fans would be aware of and that opposing teams would be targeting in trades.

Payton Eeles

Eeles is one of the very last people born in the 1900's to whom the term "prospect" still applies. It does, in fact, still apply, though, as the 26-year-old is yet to make his major league debut.

For the past two years, Eeles has been grinding mostly at the Triple-A level. At the end of 2024, it looked like he was destined for a call-up, but he suffered a knee injury in early 2025, and although he eventually returned to play, he didn't look like himself for the rest of the season.

This spring training invite is a major opportunity for Eeles to show that he is healthy again and that he can compete against major league pitching. A good showing could put him right behind Blaze Alexander and Jeremiah Jackson as the next man up if the Orioles continue to suffer injuries in their infield.