The Orioles will open their season on Thursday, and the team’s minor league affiliates’ openers are also nearing.
Perhaps the most interesting roster is at High-A Frederick, which returns as an Orioles affiliate for the first time since 2019. The Keys replace Aberdeen.
Frederick’s roster will feature the two most recent No. 1 draft picks — outfielder Vance Honeycutt, who had a challenging season for the IronBirds in 2025 but hit four home runs in his first four at-bats in spring training, and Ike Irish, last year’s top pick. Irish, the No. 6 prospect, played 20 games for Single-A Delmarva, and he’ll be used as an outfielder, first baseman and an occasional catcher.
Nate George, the Orioles No. 3 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline, and the organization’s minor league player of the year, who finished the 2025 season with Aberdeen, will join Honeycutt and Irish.
Wehiwa Aloy, who started a Grapefruit League game for the Orioles at shortstop and was the 31st overall pick in the 2025 draft, is also on the Keys’ roster. He’s the organization’s No. 7 prospect. Aloy played 20 games for the Shorebirds last season.
Another top 30 prospect is left-hander Joseph Dzierwa, who struck out eight batters in three innings in Friday’s Spring Breakout game. He’s the No. 14 prospect. Dzierwa and No. 21 prospect JT Quinn were 2025 draft picks who will be making their professional debut.
Boston Bateman, who was acquired from San Diego last July in the trade that sent Ramón Laureano and Ryan O’Hearn to the Padres, also will start with Frederick. Bateman, the No. 10 prospect, ended the season with Aberdeen.
The Keys will open their season on April 3rd against the Hub City Spartanburgers.
Triple-A Norfolk’s roster is composed entirely of players who performed in Grapefruit League games for the Orioles.
Outfielder Enrique Bradfield Jr., the No. 1 pick in 2023, who finished the season with the Tides ,is on the roster.
Trey Gibson, the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year in 2025 and the No. 5 prospect, will begin the season at Norfolk. Gibson is the 72nd-ranked prospect in baseball, according to Baseball America.
Gibson will be joined by Nestor German and Levi Wells, who both impressed the Orioles in spring training.
Dean Kremer and Cade Povich, who were both optioned by the Orioles, will begin the year at Norfolk. Other players on the 40-man roster are pitchers Jose Espada, Cameron Foster, Chayce McDermott, Anthony Nunez and Brandon Young and outfielder Reed Trimble.
Other Tides who’ve played for the Orioles are catcher Maverick Handley and first baseman Ryan Noda. First baseman/outfielder Jhonkensy Noel is also on the roster.
Norfolk’s first game is on Friday night at Harbor Park against Nashville.
Double-A Chesapeake has five top 30 prospects on its roster — left-handed pitcher Luis De Léon (No. 4), right-hander Tyson Neighbors (17), infielder Aron Estrada (No. 9), catcher Ethan Anderson (No 26) and Griff O’Ferrall (No. 29).
De Léon, Estrada and Anderson were invited to Orioles’ spring training. Neighbors also was acquired in the trade with San Diego.
The Baysox’s home opener is April 7th against Erie.
Delmarva has two top-30 prospects — right-hander Esteban Mejia, ranked No. 8, and outfielder Jordan Sanchez, ranked 20th.
The Shorebirds’ home opener is April 7th against Augusta.
Orioles sign Elvis Peguero
The Orioles signed right-hander Elvis Peguero to a two-year minor league contract. The 29-year-old is 11-10 with a 4.26 ERA and three saves in 135 games with the Los Angeles Angels, Milwaukee and Chicago White Sox from 2021-2025.
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