3 Orioles prospects to know for 2026 and beyond

It is no secret that the Baltimore Orioles have had one of the league's best farm systems in recent years. Following years of disappointment that left the team with high draft picks, the future has arrived for the Orioles.

Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday have arrived at Camden Yards and the future continues to look bright. The Orioles have the 6th ranked system, according to FanGraphs.

The O's also have multiple prospects that could make a difference in 2026 but there are three that stand out above the rest due to the current state of Baltimore's roster. The Orioles have expiring contracts with Cedric Mullins, Ryan O'Hearn, and multiple relievers following the 2025 season. Will the team decide to lean to the youth to fill those gaps?

1. Enrique Bradfield Jr.

The Vanderbilt product was drafted 17th overall in the 2023 MLB Draft and has been progressing through the minor leagues at a consistent pace. The former SEC Freshman of the Year had a prestigious college career with the Commodores. During his sophomore season, Bradfield led the SEC in stolen bases with 46. This came following his freshman season where he swiped 46 bags to finish second in NCAA behind Johnathon Thomas of Texas Southern, who finished with 62.

Bradfield began his minor league journey in rookie ball for three games before beginning his climb over the past two seasons to the Double-A Chesapeake Baysox, formerly known as the Bowie Baysox. Bradfield has been consistent at the plate while playing outstanding defense in center field. If Bradfield continues to progress through the ranks watch for him to take Mullins place, if the team moves on from the veteran outfielder.

2. Creed Willems

Although primarily a catcher, the power hitting Willems could find himself at first base, assuming the team was to move forward with Colby Mayo at third and move on from veteran first baseman Ryan Mountcastle. Willems was originally committed to Texas Christian University until the Baltimore Orioles came to him with a contract to play professional baseball.

Willems rates on MLB pipeline with a 55 power rating. He was brought up to the Baysox in late 2024 and while his first two seasons were disappointing at the plate, the young slugger has totaled 17 home runs in each of his last two seasons in the minors.

Willems is a boom or bust slugger as he has 196 strikeouts over the past two seasons but was trending down in that regard last season. If the Orioles move on and Willems continues to improve look for the young lefty to earn a spot at spring training in 2026 to compete for the position.

3. Luis De León

With plenty of pitching contracts expiring after the 2026 season, the Orioles may turn to the young prospect that they signed at the eleventh hour of the 2020-21 international signing period. De León has an electric fastball that is currently reaching the high-90s. While he has a strong fastball, his offspeed stuff has room to grow and he could potentially be an above average arm for the Orioles in the near future.

Gregory Soto, who came to Baltimore during the 2024 season, has an expiring contract following the 2025 season. At age 30 the time the contract expires the Orioles could look to move to a younger left handed arm in De León for a spot in the Orioles back end. Soto has a comparable fastball to De León, hitting 97.9 mph on average. If the Orioles want to keep the younger position players around they will likely have to allow Soto to walk and rely on the farm to replace his value.

The Orioles are in a great position as they look to open the championship window for the foreseeable future. The Orioles have plenty of talent in the farm that can make an impact at Camden Yards or be a piece that improves the team via trade.