Tuesday, October 13

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BALTIMORE -- The Orioles’ farm system was again reloaded in 2026.

In June, Baltimore brought in another intriguing group of young players during the MLB Draft. Then, the O’s operated as sellers ahead of the Aug. 3 Trade Deadline, using their moves to add even more highly regarded prospects to their Minor League ranks.

There are quite a few prospects currently in the system who could become key contributors for the Orioles in '27. Here’s a closer look at three of them.

LHP Luis De León (O’s No. 8 prospect per MLB Pipeline)

Because the O’s remained in the postseason hunt until mid-September, they needed to bolster their bullpen in order to stay in the race. That led to De León -- a 23-year-old left-hander out of Barahona, Dominican Republic -- getting his first opportunity to pitch in the big leagues.

Though De León has been developed as a starter, he was converted into a reliever in late August, when Baltimore decided it may need him for its stretch run. The southpaw was promoted to the Majors when rosters expanded to 28 players on Sept. 1. De León pitched well for the O’s in eight appearances, recording a 1.93 ERA in 9 1/3 innings.

But the Orioles still view De León as a future starter.

“He did outstanding at the big league level in his first taste,” manager Craig Albernaz said. “It's impressive how he handles himself, his demeanor, and obviously, the stuff stands out. It's elite stuff. We’re going to give him every avenue to be a starter.”

De León was a non-roster invitee to Baltimore’s big league camp this spring. In '27, he’ll have a legitimate opportunity to compete for a rotation spot.

RHP Michael Forret (O’s No. 10)

Another starting pitcher with a chance to crack the O’s rotation sometime early in '27 is Forret.

The 22-year-old has had an interesting career path to this point. Baltimore’s 14th-round Draft pick in '23, the right-hander was traded to Tampa Bay as one of the four prospects dealt in exchange for righty Shane Baz on Dec. 19. Then, the O’s reacquired Forret on Aug. 3 by sending righty Tyler Wells to the Rays.

When Forret returned to the Orioles’ system, president of baseball operations Mike Elias noted the youngster was “very close to Major League ready, like a phone call away.”

“We like where he’s at,” Elias said at the time.

Forret has logged 61 1/3 innings in 14 games (13 starts) at Triple-A, and while he has a 5.43 ERA in those outings, his stuff has looked impressive. Forret also had success at the lower levels of the Minors, so it may be only a matter of time before things start clicking for the righty.

OF Enrique Bradfield Jr. (O’s No. 18)

Entering the '26 season, Bradfield seemed like a prime candidate to make his MLB debut at some point during the year. However, injuries limited the 24-year-old to 98 games, so he never got the callup from Triple-A.

But the 2023 first-round Draft pick should arrive in ‘27. His offensive numbers improved at Triple-A this past year, as he hit .263 with 12 doubles, four triples, four home runs, 33 RBIs and a .707 OPS. His speed also remains elite, as he went 36-for-41 on steal attempts.

Bradfield’s speed and defense will be an asset for the O’s whenever he arrives in Baltimore.

“I think Bradfield is somebody that we’ll see this coming year,” Elias said at his end-of-season press conference on Sept. 28.

De León wasn’t the only player to make his MLB debut for the Orioles during the 2026 season. Here’s a look back at the other five.

RHP Anthony Nunez: The 25-year-old was a surprise inclusion on Baltimore’s Opening Day roster, making it because left-hander Keegan Akin went on the injured list with a left groin strain. Nunez debuted with two scoreless innings of relief on March 28 vs. the Twins, then went on to make 52 appearances during his rookie campaign, recording a 4.07 ERA in 59 2/3 innings.

RHP Cameron Foster: The 27-year-old’s first appearance came in Cleveland on April 16, when he tossed 1 2/3 scoreless innings of relief vs. the Guardians. Foster had a 9.00 ERA over six outings for the Orioles, later dealing with a right shoulder injury at Triple-A.

RHP Trey Gibson: Talk about a big stage for a debut -- Baltimore’s No. 17 prospect did so May 3 by starting against the Yankees in New York. The 24-year-old allowed three runs over 4 2/3 innings, finishing the season with a 6.13 ERA in nine games (eight starts) for the O’s.

RHP Cameron Weston: The 26-year-old worked a scoreless inning of relief vs. the Blue Jays on May 28. That was his only appearance for the Orioles, who designated the righty for assignment on Sept. 1 before he was claimed off waivers by the Mets on Sept. 3.

OF Christian Franklin: Acquired in an under-the-radar Trade Deadline move on Aug. 3, the 26-year-old made his MLB debut the next day, going 0-for-2 with a walk, a stolen base and a run scored vs. the Angels on Aug. 4. Franklin hit .180 with two doubles, one RBI and three stolen bases over 21 games for the O’s.

• Colton Cowser called his 2026 season “interesting,” due to the highs and lows. But the 26-year-old outfielder believes he can fully return to form in '27. More >>

• MLB Pipeline’s Jonathan Mayo provided a look at the O’s players currently participating in the Arizona Fall League, a group that includes outfielder/first baseman Ike Irish (O's No. 5 prospect, No. 95 overall). More >>

• Baltimore pitching prospect Patrick Reilly, who is playing in the Fall League, recently chatted with MLB Pipeline’s Jesse Borek about his performance. More >>

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