Ready for some baseball talk, Camden Chatters? It's a long wait until Opening Day on March 26th, but let's dive into a way-too-early look at the projected Orioles roster for 2026! Spring training games kick off on February 20th, and with the offseason still in full swing, it's fun to speculate. Plus, with only half of the top 50 free agents signed, there's plenty of room for change.
Let's get into the projected lineup!
The starting rotation could feature Kyle Bradish, Trevor Rogers, Shane Baz, Dean Kremer, and Tyler Wells. That's a strong start, but the Orioles are likely aiming higher. They might pursue Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, or Tatsuya Imai. Adding one of these top pitchers could significantly boost the team.
The bullpen is harder to predict, but we can expect Ryan Helsley as closer, Andrew Kittredge in setup, and veteran lefty Keegan Akin. Dietrich Enns, Rico Garcia, and Kade Strowd might get spots based on their 2025 performances, but nothing is guaranteed. Grant Wolfram, Colin Selby, Yennier Cano, Cade Povich, Brandon Young, or Albert Suárez could also be in the mix. The Orioles could use another reliable veteran arm.
But here's where it gets controversial... The position player group seems crowded. The infield is set with Pete Alonso, Jackson Holliday, Gunnar Henderson, and Jordan Westburg. The outfield has Taylor Ward, Colton Cowser, Tyler O'Neill, Dylan Beavers, and Leody Taveras. Cowser could be the center fielder, with Ward in left and O'Neill and Beavers battling for right field.
Adley Rutschman will likely handle most of the catching duties, with Samuel Basallo backing him up and getting starts as the designated hitter. The remaining three spots are tricky. Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo are both talented, but how can two right-handed 1B/DHs coexist with Alonso? And who's the backup infielder? Jeremiah Jackson showed promise but needs to improve defensively. Mike Elias has some tough decisions to make.
So, the Orioles aren't quite finished yet, but they're making intriguing moves. Expect them to fill most of these holes before the season begins in March.
What do you think? Will the Orioles make the right moves to contend? Share your thoughts in the comments!
Links
- Dylan Beavers' improved prospect status in 2025.
- Bradfield's potential improvement as a prospect.
Orioles birthdays and history
Happy birthday to anyone celebrating today! On December 23rd, the Orioles' history includes:
- Dave May (1943-2012), who played for the Birds from 1967-70. His son, Derrick, later played for the O's in 1999.
- In 1980, the Orioles signed Jim Dwyer, who played a key role off the bench for eight seasons, including a home run in the 1983 World Series.
- In 1995, Billy Ripken returned to Baltimore. He had played for the Birds from 1987-92.
- In 2013, the Orioles claimed Liam Hendriks, who later became a three-time All-Star closer, off waivers.
