The Orioles didn’t waste time making noise this offseason, and while the early headlines were all about adding firepower to the lineup, the recent focus has shifted squarely to the pitching staff. After trading for slugger Taylor Ward and signing power-hitting first baseman Pete Alonso, Baltimore turned its attention to the mound, bringing in starters Shane Baz and Zach Eflin to shore up the rotation.
Now, with spring training on the horizon, the question looming over Camden Yards is whether the Orioles are finished tinkering with their group of position players. The 26-man Opening Day roster will carry 13 position players-and most of those spots already look spoken for.
Let’s start with the locks. Adley Rutschman, Pete Alonso, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Gunnar Henderson, Taylor Ward, and Colton Cowser are all expected to be everyday starters, assuming health holds up. That’s seven names you can probably write in pen.
Then there’s Samuel Basallo, the highly touted catching prospect who just inked a major extension. He’s expected to see regular time behind the plate spelling Rutschman, but also could get reps at first base or as a designated hitter. With his bat, the Orioles will want to find ways to keep him in the lineup.
That brings us to the outfield, where things get interesting. The final starting spot could come down to a platoon between up-and-comer Dylan Beavers and veteran Tyler O’Neill.
O’Neill, when healthy, brings serious pop-just a couple seasons removed from a 31-homer campaign in Boston. He’s also crushed lefties to the tune of an .894 OPS over his career, making him a strong candidate to start against southpaws.
Beavers, meanwhile, showed promise in limited big-league action last season, particularly against right-handed pitching. His OPS against righties hovered near .800, but dipped significantly against lefties.
That same split showed up in Triple-A, too, where the gap was nearly 200 points. A platoon setup makes a lot of sense here-it keeps O’Neill fresh and puts Beavers in a position to succeed.
Assuming both make the roster, that’s 10 of 13 spots filled. The final three? That’s where the competition heats up.
Leody Taveras, brought in as a potential fifth outfielder, is a name to watch. He was a key contributor to the Rangers’ 2023 World Series run, and while his offensive numbers have dipped, his speed and arm strength make him a valuable defensive asset. He can handle all three outfield spots, and with no minor league options remaining, he’s got a strong shot to break camp with the big club.
Behind the main group, the Orioles have quietly built some intriguing outfield depth. Johnkensey Noel remains in the organization, and the club is hoping to retain Marco Luciano. Will Robertson has shown flashes in Triple-A, though he’s still trying to find his major league footing.
Then there’s a wave of prospects knocking on the door. Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Jud Fabian could make their MLB debuts in 2026, but both will need to prove themselves at Triple-A first.
Baltimore has been consistent with its development philosophy, and that won’t change-especially with Bradfield. Reed Trimble, a recent addition to the 40-man roster, is another name to keep tabs on as camp unfolds.
In the infield, Jeremiah Jackson offers some positional flexibility. Though he came up as an infielder, he’s shown he can handle some outfield duties as well.
Still, his primary value may come as a utility infielder capable of handling second, third, and short. Payton Eeles, a lesser-known name, could work his way into that conversation with a strong spring.
Then there’s the logjam at the corner infield spots-Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo. Many expected one of them to be moved in a trade, and that still might happen.
But if they both stick around, the Orioles will need to get creative. Mountcastle’s glove makes him a natural fit as Alonso’s backup at first.
Mayo, who’s made strides defensively, could return to third base, where he played in the minors, or even get a look in the outfield.
The versatility of Holliday and Westburg could help ease that positional puzzle. If Henderson needs a day off, Holliday can slide over to shortstop, Westburg to second, and Mayo could step in at third. That kind of flexibility might allow the Orioles to carry a bat-first player instead of a traditional utility infielder.
At this point, it would be surprising to see Baltimore add another starting-caliber position player. The roster is already crowded, with at least four big-league-ready players competing for just three remaining spots. That’s a good problem to have-but it also means the spring training battles are going to be fierce.
So, while the spotlight may be on the pitching staff for now, don’t sleep on the position player drama brewing behind the scenes. With a deep, versatile roster and a few key decisions left to make, the Orioles are setting up for a spring filled with intrigue-and a regular season that could be just as compelling.