The Orioles’ pitching pipeline looks a lot different than it did just a few years ago. Gone are the days when Grayson Rodriguez and DL Hall were the crown jewels of Baltimore’s farm system-two arms who carried the weight of the franchise’s future rotation on their shoulders. Both have since graduated to the majors, and while they’ve had their ups and downs, there’s no denying the promise they brought.
But now, there’s no Rodriguez. No Hall. And for the first time in a while, there’s no clear-cut, top-100 pitching prospect in the Orioles’ system.
That doesn’t mean the cupboard is bare-but it does mean the dynamic has shifted. From 2019 through 2023, Rodriguez and Hall were entrenched as the top two arms in the organization.
Behind them were names like Dean Kremer, who’s now a reliable starter in the bigs, and Keegan Akin, who’s carved out a role in the bullpen. Kyle Bradish joined the fold in late 2019 via trade and quietly climbed the ranks, eventually blowing past his original “middle-of-the-rotation” ceiling.
Still, for every Bradish or Kremer, there were several arms who didn’t quite pan out-Zac Lowther, Blaine Knight, Mike Baumann, Drew Rom, Cody Sedlock, Kevin Smith. That’s the nature of pitching development. Not every prospect hits, and even the most well-regarded systems will have their share of misses.
The Orioles have earned a reputation for developing homegrown talent, but that success has largely come on the position player side. When it comes to arms, the track record is more mixed. Which brings us to the current crop-a group without a Rodriguez-level headliner, but one that might offer something different: depth.
At the top of the current list are Esteban Mejia and Boston Bateman, both ranked among the Orioles’ top 10 prospects by MLB Pipeline. They’ve got upside, no doubt, but neither has reached Double-A yet. That means their timelines are longer, and any major league impact is likely a few years away.
The more immediate intrigue comes from a tier of arms sitting just outside the top 10-guys like Michael Forret, Trey Gibson, Juaron Watts-Brown, Nestor German, Braxton Bragg, Levi Wells, and Patrick Reilly. Ranked between No. 11 and No. 23 in the system, this group doesn’t feature a surefire ace, but it’s full of pitchers with tools, track records, and in some cases, real momentum.
Start with Gibson. Named the Orioles’ 2025 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, the 23-year-old made a rapid climb through the system.
He started the year at High-A Aberdeen, dominated at Double-A Chesapeake with a 1.55 ERA over 10 starts, and finished the year in Triple-A Norfolk, where he hit a few bumps but still showed flashes. His calling card?
Power. At 6’5”, 240 pounds, Gibson brings a fastball that touched the high-90s late in the season-an uptick that helped fuel his breakout.
He’s not just a radar gun darling, either. According to those around the game, including hitters who’ve faced him, Gibson is the real deal.
One respected analyst even called him “one of the most underrated pitching prospects in Minor League Baseball.” When hitters are naming you as their toughest at-bat, that says something.
Gibson wasn’t the only one to make it to Norfolk. Nestor German also ended his year with the Tides after a strong run through Aberdeen and Chesapeake, posting solid ERAs at both levels. German doesn’t have the same overpowering stuff, but he’s been consistent, and he’s shown he can handle a full season of development.
Levi Wells also got a taste of Triple-A, and while his 4.79 ERA in five starts doesn’t jump off the page, there’s a reason to keep an eye on him-his fastball has hit triple digits. Even if he doesn’t stick as a starter, that kind of heat gives him a high floor as a potential impact reliever.
Further down the ladder, in Double-A, you’ll find Forret, Watts-Brown, Bragg, and Reilly. Unfortunately, both Bragg and Reilly had their 2025 seasons cut short by Tommy John surgery-a tough blow, especially considering both had sub-2.00 ERAs before going down. If they can bounce back, they’ll be right back in the mix.
Forret, just 21, might be the most intriguing name in the group. In 19 games across High-A and Double-A, he posted a 1.88 ERA and flashed a unique arsenal that includes a “kick-changeup” and a pitch dubbed the “death ball.” He’s still refining his command, but the raw stuff is there, and it’s different-something that always catches scouts’ attention.
Watts-Brown doesn’t light up the gun, but he’s found his groove with a slider that’s become his go-to pitch. It wasn’t even in his repertoire until college, but it’s now a legitimate weapon. His walk rate has improved, and with 18 starts and a 3.62 ERA at Double-A, he’s trending in the right direction.
Realistically, none of these arms are expected to break camp with the big league club in 2026. But several could be knocking on the door by midseason, and the Orioles will be hoping that at least a couple of them can step up and become legitimate rotation options-or, at the very least, reliable contributors.
Baltimore doesn’t need another Rodriguez or Hall to emerge for this group to be a success. What they need is a few Bradishes, Kremers, or Akins-guys who can fill out a rotation, eat innings, and keep the team in games. If even two or three of these arms can take that next step, the Orioles’ pitching future will be in good hands.
In a system that’s long been known for its bats, the next wave of pitching talent is starting to take shape. It may not be flashy, but it’s quietly becoming one of the most important storylines to watch as Baltimore continues to build for sustained success.