3 prospects the Orioles shouldn't trade this offseason

The Baltimore Orioles find themselves in an interesting position heading into the offseason. Once considered scrappy upstarts, they’ve since grown into full-fledged contenders — only to stumble in a disappointing 2025 campaign. That slip has put added pressure on the front office, which could be tempted to dip into its farm system to chase immediate upgrades, particularly in the rotation where the need is most glaring. But with every trade proposal comes a delicate balance: strengthening the roster in the short term without jeopardizing the very pipeline that has fueled Baltimore’s resurgence.

For a small-market club like the Orioles, that second part cannot be ignored. Their organizational identity has been built on drafting well, developing patiently, and maximizing the value of controllable talent. Trading away the wrong prospect could create a ripple effect that undermines years of work. That’s why some names simply shouldn’t be on the table, no matter how aggressive the front office gets. Among the many players in their loaded system, there are three prospects who stand out as too valuable to risk losing.

3 prospects the Orioles shouldn't trade this offseason

C/OF Ike Irish

When the Baltimore Orioles used their first-round pick on Ike Irish, it wasn’t just about adding another talented bat to the system — it was about future-proofing one of the most important positions in baseball. The Orioles have always valued their farm system like gold, and while there have been questions about how consistently they commit to locking up their young talent long-term, Irish represents a piece they simply can’t afford to part with.

The front office already made waves with an eight-year, $67 million extension for Samuel Basallo and has repeatedly emphasized that Adley Rutschman isn’t going anywhere. Adding Irish into that mix only strengthens Baltimore’s catching pipeline, ensuring that the position remains a cornerstone of the franchise for years to come. What makes him even more valuable is his versatility. Irish isn’t locked into being just a catcher. His athleticism and arm strength give him the ability to shift into the outfield, a skill set that provides roster flexibility and helps cover any long-term depth issues that might arise.

Trading away Irish would be the exact opposite of what the Orioles should be doing right now. If the team is serious about sustaining contention beyond just a short competitive window, building around young, controllable, and versatile players like Irish is non-negotiable. Fans should see him as not just another prospect, but as a central piece in the next wave of talent designed to keep Baltimore in the playoff conversation for the better part of the next decade.

OF Dylan Beavers

Dylan Beavers may have logged just 75 major league at-bats, but he’s already made enough of an impression to alter the Orioles’ 2026 plans. His late-season performance all but locked him into the conversation for an Opening Day roster spot, and it’s easy to see why. Posting a steady .267/.421/.373 slash line with a homer and eight RBIs, Beavers has shown the poise of a player who isn’t overwhelmed by big-league pitching. His ability to control the strike zone and put together competitive at-bats makes him more than just a placeholder — he looks like someone who belongs.

The power numbers haven’t fully arrived yet, and that’s where the intrigue lies. Throughout his development in the minors, Beavers was projected as a bat with real pop from the left side, and the Orioles would be wise to let that potential play out over a full season before even entertaining trade discussions. The tools are all there: athleticism, raw power, and defensive value in the outfield. It’s the kind of profile that could become an everyday cornerstone, not just a complementary piece.

The Orioles don’t just need depth in their outfield; they need impact bats who can grow with this young core. Beavers fits that mold, and if Baltimore is serious about maintaining its reputation as one of the most talent-rich organizations in baseball, they should give him every opportunity to flourish in Camden Yards before ever considering flipping him for a veteran stopgap.

RHP Braxton Bragg

For an organization that has made it no secret how badly it needs pitching, holding onto Braxton Bragg should be one of the easiest decisions the Orioles make this offseason. The 24-year-old right-hander turned heads in 2025, posting a combined 4-2 record with a sparkling 1.68 ERA and 77 strikeouts in just 59 innings between High-A and Double-A. His breakout was cut short when Tommy John surgery was announced at the end of July, but the dominance he showed prior to the injury left a lasting impression on Baltimore’s player development staff.

Bragg’s 32.8 percent strikeout rate was elite, a sign that his stuff plays against advanced competition. His arsenal is exactly the kind of foundation the Orioles have been searching for in their farm system: a fastball that sits around 95 mph and can touch the upper-90s, paired with three legitimate secondary weapons. A low-80s slider, mid-80s changeup that can disrupt timing, and a high-80s cutter to give another uncomfortable look. 

Yes, the road back from Tommy John surgery is never a guarantee. But in a pitching-starved system like Baltimore’s, Bragg represents the exact type of arm they need to gamble on internally rather than dangling in trade talks. His upside is simply too valuable, and his development could very well be the difference between the Orioles patching together a rotation with outside rentals or finally building one that’s homegrown and sustainable. If Baltimore wants to shed its reputation of being overly reliant on bats to carry the load, keeping Bragg is non-negotiable.

The Orioles have worked too hard to build one of the deepest and most respected farm systems in baseball to start dismantling it recklessly. Moving any of these players for a short-term fix might bring a temporary boost, but the cost could be far greater down the road. If the Orioles want to build not just a contender, but a sustainable winner, holding onto these three prospects is a must.

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