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CHICAGO – For years, the Orioles’ rebuild afforded them the opportunity to find diamonds in the rough.
You know the story here. Cedric Mullins wasn’t a highly touted prospect as a 13th-round pick out of Campbell, but became Baltimore’s everyday center fielder. John Means was selected in round 11. Anthony Santander was a Rule 5 draft pick that turned into an All-Star. Ramón Urías was a waiver claim.
For the last few seasons, dart throws like that wouldn’t have found much playing time in Baltimore. Even top prospects like Coby Mayo have had to wait patiently for more playing time.
But after a deadline in which the Orioles traded away nine big leaguers, the final two months of the 2025 season give the O’s roster a familiar feeling: opportunity.
“Weird to think that I’m sitting at the most service time down there now,” Keegan Akin joked about the O’s bullpen.
“I think you’re going to see some surprising things these next two months out of some young guys,” he said. “I just think it’s turned into the land of opportunity, and you’re going to see some surprises.”
One of those young players getting an opportunity is Jeremiah Jackson, who starts in right field this afternoon after making his MLB debut yesterday.
Jackson, a 25-year-old former second-round pick, took some time to develop but has really blossomed this season. After struggling to get out of Double-A for most of his minor league career, the utilityman broke out in Triple-A Norfolk this season, to the tune of a .377 batting average and 1.073 OPS in 40 games.
“Any time you go into Triple-A, throw up an 1.100 OPS over the span of 30-40 games, or whatever it is, I think there’s certainly upside and potential in that scenario,” said interim manager Tony Mansolino of Jackson. “Kind of throwing him to the wolves today, we’re excited for him.”
Right field isn’t a familiar position for Jackson, but it’s where he finds himself in Wrigley Field. He’s played just seven games in right in his professional career, but has 44 total games in the outfield.
The infield, featuring a few franchise cornerstones, is a bit crowded.
“I mean, with our infield, you look around and there’s no at-bats for the next however many years you’ve got these guys,” Mansolino said.
With four departures in the bullpen, plus an injury to Félix Bautista, some key bullpen spots are up for grabs. The last two months of the season could serve as an audition for next season, too.
“There’s massive opportunity down there,” Mansolino said. “Whoever’s down there the next two months, they’re going to get an opportunity for next year. So, a guy that goes down there and throws well, they’re gonna have to throw well against really good competition, the schedule is going to be an absolute bear over the next two months. If a guy goes in there and throws well, he, no doubt, puts himself in a good situation for 26.”
In order to compete in 2026, there is certainly some work to be done by the O’s front office this offseason. But finding some more diamonds in the rough to conclude 2025 wouldn’t hurt that cause either.
Breadcrumbs from the Skipper
Mansolino announced that Brandon Young will start tomorrow’s series finale in Wrigley and Cade Povich will be activated from the injured list to start Monday’s game.
“Did you guys know that,” Mansolino joked. “Well … Now you do.”
The interim skipper is hopeful that Ryan Mountcastle will join Povich in coming off the injured list on Monday as well.
“Ideally, I would probably DH him Monday,” he said.
Albert Suárez faced live hitters recently, and will do so one more time in a few days before starting a rehab assignment. Kyle Bradish and Tyler Wells felt good after their latest rehab outings and will be making more soon. Still a bit to go before the big leagues, though.
