Orioles 40-man roster entering spring training: An excess of pitching and OF depth

Spring training is officially here. The Orioles have their first workout for pitchers and catchers taking place today, and a number of hitters have joined them down in Sarasota. The first scheduled full-squad workout isn't until next Tuesday but we can expect to see a number of players getting in reps down at the training complex over the next week.

As we prepare for games to get underway, now is a good time to take a step back and reset by taking a quick look at the state of the current 40-man roster. This group is subject to change over the next six weeks, whether that be due to performance issues or players suffering injuries. Hopefully there won't be many of either, as Orioles fans remember the pains of 2024 all too well.

Here is the current Orioles 40-man roster heading into spring training

Infielders & Catchers

• Adley Rutschman, C
• Gary Sanchez, C
• Ryan Mountcastle, INF
• Jackson Holliday, INF
• Gunnar Henderson, INF
• Jordan Westburg, INF
• Ramon Urías, INF
• Ryan O'Hearn, INF/OF
• Jorge Mateo, INF/OF
• Coby Mayo, INF

As it stands, there are only two catchers listed on the 40-man. That could potentially change as we get closer to spring training, but it's also possible that the Orioles will leave that spot open and wait until they need to add someone else. David Bañuelos is probably the first man up, but Maverick Handley is in camp as well. Samuel Basallo likely won't get the call until later this year at the earliest.

Outfielders

• Cedric Mullins, OF
• Colton Cowser, OF
• Tyler O'Neill, OF
• Heston Kjerstad, OF
• Ramon Laureano, OF
• Dylan Carlson, OF

This is a crowded group, especially after the addition of Laureano. Both Ryan O'Hearn and Jorge Mateo can back-fill the outfield, so there's certainly no shortage of guys who can play on the grass. One of the most interesting questions that needs to be answered is what role Kjerstad will play on this team. Will he start in the majors if Mateo is healthy? Or will the Orioles send him down so he can get everyday playing time while he waits for a spot to open up on the major league roster?

Pitchers

• Grayson Rodriguez, RHP
• Zach Eflin, RHP
• Charlie Morton, RHP
• Tomoyuki Sugano, RHP
• Dean Kremer, RHP
• Albert Suarez, RHP
• Trevor Rogers, LHP
• Chayce McDermott, RHP
• Brandon Young, RHP
• Cade Povich, LHP
• Tyler Wells, RHP
• Kyle Bradish, RHP
• Felix Bautista, RHP
• Andrew Kittredge, RHP
• Yennier Cano, RHP
• Seranthony Dominguez, RHP
• Cionel Perez, LHP
• Keegan Akin, LHP
• Gregory Soto, LHP
• Bryan Baker, RHP
• Colin Selby, RHP
• Kade Strowd, RHP
• Roansy Contreras, RHP
• Luis Gonzalez, LHP

The first four names on this list are all locks to be in the Opening Day rotation, assuming they're healthy. The fifth spot is surely up for grabs, with all of Kremer, Suarez, Rogers, McDermott, and Povich vying for a role in the majors. Whether or not the Orioles want to run with five righties in the rotation remains to be seen, but unless we see a drastic change from Rogers this spring, it seems likely that one of Kremer or Suarez will get the first shot.

The bullpen seems mostly set, given that Bautista is expected to return to full health. Dominguez, Kittredge, and Cano is a strong set-up combination, and Keegan Akin has the potential to be a difference maker from the left side. Much more so than either Soto or Perez, anyway.