The Orioles are heading into the 2026 season with a fresh look in the outfield. Colton Cowser is set to take over center field full-time, while Taylor Ward will handle left field duties. But the real buzz is around rookie Dylan Beavers, who’s poised to make a splash.
Beavers, a 24-year-old former Cal Golden Bear, is coming off a transformative 2025 season. Initially ranked as the Orioles' No. 8 prospect in 2024, he seemed destined to remain behind Heston Kjerstad and Enrique Bradfield Jr. in the pecking order.
However, Beavers turned heads with a stellar Triple-A performance, hitting .304 with a .934 OPS, 15 home runs, and 31 stolen bases. This impressive showing earned him an August call-up and solidified his status as the Orioles' top outfield prospect.
Despite his rise and promising Major League debut, Beavers isn’t guaranteed a starting spot in 2026. With Ward and Cowser locked into left and center, Beavers will compete with Tyler O’Neill for the right field position.
If O’Neill stays healthy, we might see a platoon situation, with Beavers taking on right-handed pitchers and O’Neill facing lefties. Beavers showed strength against righties during his debut, posting a .798 OPS with eight extra-base hits in 90 at-bats.
Improving these numbers could push manager Craig Albernaz to consider him for the everyday role in right field.
Projections for Beavers' 2026 season vary:
- ZiPS: Projects a .249/.336/.414 line with 17 home runs and 15 stolen bases over 550 plate appearances.
- Baseball Reference: Envisions a .247/.347/.407 line with 8 home runs and 5 stolen bases in 269 plate appearances.
FanGraphs’ ZiPS suggests Beavers could play a significant role, nearing a 20/20 season while slightly dipping from his 2025 on-base percentage of .375. This projection also accounts for O’Neill’s injury history, predicting he’ll play only 89 games.
On the other hand, Baseball Reference sees Beavers as more of a part-time player, sharing time with O’Neill. Both projections anticipate a rise in Beavers’ batting average but a slight decline in on-base percentage, with his slugging remaining steady.
If Beavers exceeds these modest expectations, he could become the leadoff hitter the Orioles need. In his 35 games last season, he demonstrated an elite chase rate and walk percentage, suggesting that maintaining a .375 OPS is within reach as he gains more Major League experience.
His near-elite speed could also make 25+ stolen bases a reality. Should everything align, the Orioles might have a speedy version of Nick Markakis in right field for years to come.