The Orioles are inviting 30 non-roster players to spring training, including 15 pitchers. Their 2025 list of 26 players included a dozen pitchers.
Only two of those 12 remain in the organization – Yaramil Hiraldo, who’s on the 40-man roster, and Carlos Tavera, who’s in Mexico. Gone are Raúl Alcantara, Justin Armbruester, Matt Bowman, Jakob Hernandez, Corbin Martin, Robinson Martínez, Rodolfo Martinez, Levi Stoudt, Thaddeus Ward and Nathan Webb.
Only Jeremiah Jackson remains among the five infielders, which included Nick Gordon, Vimael Machín, Liván Soto and Terrin Vavra. Catcher David Bañuelos remains a free agent. Outfielder Jordyn Adams signed with the Brewers and Franklin Barreto was released on Aug. 31.
So much can change in a year.
The exclusion this spring of catcher/outfielder Ike Irish, the 19th overall pick in the 2025 draft and the No. 6 prospect in the system by Baseball America, was anticipated because of his lack of professional experience. He appeared in 20 games with Class A Delmarva, batting .230 with a .594 OPS.
Outfielder Nate George is No. 4 and the Orioles chose him as the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year, but he’s only 19 years old and fresh off his first professional season – a total of 87 games between the Florida Complex League, Delmarva and High-A Aberdeen.
No. 9 prospect Wehiwa Aloy, also ticketed for minor league camp, was the 31st overall pick last year. He played in 20 games with the Shorebirds, batting .288/.356/.500 with nine doubles, a triple, two home runs and 14 RBIs.
Left-hander Boston Bateman (No. 12), acquired from the Padres in the Ryan O’Hearn/Ramon Laureano trade, also was omitted after making two starts with Delmarva and three with Aberdeen. He was a second-round pick in the 2024 draft.
The odds seemed more favorable for right-hander Juaron Watts-Brown (No. 15), acquired from the Blue Jays at the deadline for reliever Seranthony Domínguez. He made 18 Double-A starts last year, the last seven with Chesapeake. He, too, will be found at Twin Lakes Park.
Here are some of the more interesting names on this year’s list:
RHP Trey Gibson
The reason is simple. Gibson was named the organization’s Minor League Pitcher of the Year and Baseball America ranked him No. 3 among Orioles’ prospects.
Gibson probably won’t make the club unless there’s a rash of pitching injuries – or pitchers with rashes. He climbed from Aberdeen to Triple-A Norfolk, where he made seven starts and posted a 7.98 ERA and 1.807 WHIP in 29 1/3 innings. His development will continue with the Tides and new pitching coach Jeff Ware.
Gibson averaged 12.4 strikeouts per nine innings over his 26 appearances (25 starts) and he led all Orioles minor leaguers with 166 strikeouts. The Virginia native was signed as an undrafted free agent in August 2023 out of Liberty University.
His story grows more intriguing. And his major league debut is getting closer.
RHP Albert Suárez
He was very good in 2024 and very injured and absent in 2025, which led to the Orioles non-tendering him.
They kept the door open for his return and the sides worked out a minor league agreement. Suárez is back in camp and fighting again for a roster spot.
Health will be a hot topic with Suárez, who was shut down in September with a flexor strain in his right forearm. He made only five appearances, the first on March 28 resulting in a Grade 2 right subscapularis strain.
The bullpen could use Suárez, who might be able to fill a swingman role.
LHP Luis De León
De León is the No. 5 prospect in the system according to Baseball America and he’s only 22.
The lefty registered a 3.30 ERA in 20 games at three levels, topping at Double-A Chesapeake, and he struck out 107 batters over 87 1/3 innings. The upper-90s sinking fastball induces a heavy amount of ground balls. He’s just working to repeat his delivery and release point and to keep maturing, which should reduce the 4.7 walks he’s averaged per nine innings in four minor league seasons.
The Orioles eventually will reassign De León to minor league camp so he can prepare for the season and his placement in the Baysox’s rotation. He should be fun to watch while he’s around.
RHPs Nestor German/Levi Wells/Cameron Weston
I’m lumping the trio together, though Weston isn’t ranked in the BA or MLB Pipeline Top 30. BA has German 13 and Wells 14.
All three have a shot at pitching for the Orioles this summer, which is why they’re noteworthy invites.
Weston made 26 starts and three relief appearances with Norfolk last year, which makes him the most experienced, but he posted a 4.59 ERA and 1.485 WHIP and walked 71 batters in 135 1/3 innings.
German had sub-4.00 ERAs with Aberdeen and Chesapeake, but he allowed six earned runs (seven total) and nine hits in 7 2/3 innings with Norfolk. The former 11th round draft pick really got noticed in 2024 with a 1.59 ERA and 0.937 WHIP in 21 games (12 starts) between Delmarva and Aberdeen.
Wells, a fourth-rounder in 2023, posted a 3.12 ERA in 20 appearances (16 starts) with Chesapeake, but he allowed 11 runs and walked 13 batters in 20 2/3 innings with Norfolk. He’s also got more developing to do. He’s also going to get valuable time with the Orioles’ pitching instructors.
Catchers Ethan Anderson/Creed Willems
The Orioles aren’t offering camp competitions behind the plate. Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo are set, just like Rutschman and Gary Sánchez last spring.
This is about catching depth and who might be in play later this season, in 2027 or beyond.
Maverick Handley appeared in 16 games last summer and joined the crew of injured backstops. He went 3-for-41. Silas Ardoin also is in camp again and he reached Triple-A last summer. Sam Huff is the experienced one with 98 major league games spread over five seasons before the Orioles signed him on Jan. 15.
Anderson was a second-round draft selection in 2024 out of the University of Virginia and he hit .300/.398/.443 with seven doubles, a home run, 14 RBIs and 12 walks in 19 games in the Arizona Fall League. Willems spent 2025 with the Baysox and finished with 21 doubles, 16 home runs and a .779 OPS. He also plays first base.
Outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr.
Too obvious?
Bradfield was the 17th overall pick in the 2023 draft out of Vanderbilt University and his speed and defense in center field make him something special.
We’re talking elite tools here. That’s must-see.
Bradfield will begin the 2026 season in Norfolk, where he appeared in 15 games last summer. He won’t be the Orioles’ starting center fielder on Opening Day but could make his debut at some point.
Imagine having him pinch-run late in a playoff game. I’m just thinking out loud here.
Infielder Payton Eeles
The Orioles don’t appear to have room for a utility infielder, at least while collecting first basemen, but Eeles plays everywhere and is a legitimate candidate if a competition unfolds.
Besides his defense, Eeles has hit .285/.410/.417 in two minor league seasons after slashing .381/.478/.504 in 206 college games. The Orioles got him from the Twins for catcher Alex Jackson.
Infielder Aron Estrada
Estrada isn’t a candidate to head north with the club. This is different.
He’s a prospect.
Estrada just turned 21 and he’s ranked 11th by Baseball America and 22nd by MLB Pipeline, which is waiting to update its list. He’s played in 293 minor league games over four years and batted .293/.380/.445 with 50 doubles, 18 triples and 82 stolen bases. And he has the same defensive versatility as Eeles.
There’s a curiosity with this kid.
The Orioles gave the switch-hitting Estrada a $175,000 bonus as part of their 2022 international class. He’s listed at 5 foot 8 and 142 pounds. Though his belt isn’t weighed down with lots of plus tools, he’s already reached Double-A and is on the radar.
Koby Perez, the Orioles’ vice president of international scouting and operations, singled out Estrada and De León as international signings who could be next to make their major league debuts.
Outfielder Jhonkensy Noel
How can anyone ignore “Big Christmas.”
Noel is the gift that keeps on giving. The Orioles claimed him on waivers from the Guardians, designated him for assignment two days later and outrighted him.
Maybe it’s the Ryan O’Hearn sequel.
Noel has the kind of power that makes you stop to watch batting practice and every at-bat during a game. He’s a long shot to make the club unless there’s an injury, but he’s going to attract plenty of attention.
* The Orioles won't be signing Framber Valdez. The Tigers got him for a reported $115 million over three years, with an opt-out after the second year.
The deal is pending the results of his physical.
I guess this is coverage in case Tarik Skubal bolts. The outcome of his arbitration hearing comes later today. He wants $32 million and the Tigers offered $19 million.
Either way, he won't be paid more than Valdez.
Zac Gallen remains in play for the Orioles, along with Justin Verlander and Lucas Giolito, among others. But Valdez was the best free agent on the board.
The Orioles made an aggressive push for Ranger Suárez before he signed a five-year, $130 million contract with the Red Sox. National media tabbed them as the overwhelming favorites to sign Valdez, perhaps based more on assumptions. They sought a No. 1 starter and had more money to spend, and other suitors dropped out of the running.
A trade remains a possibility, but time is running out to add another starter before spring training.
* Reliever José Espada reportedly will pitch for Puerto Rico in the World Baseball Classic, making him a teammate again of Orioles reliever Rico Garcia.
* For you numbers lovers, outfielder Taylor Ward is wearing No. 3, starter Shane Baz is No. 34, closer Ryan Helsley is No. 21, outfielder Leody Taveras is No. 40 and Noel is No. 43. We knew from his press conference that first baseman Pete Alonso would be No. 25.