Looking ahead to the 2026 Orioles

The Orioles have used a club record 67 players this season. Seventeen have left the organization. Let’s take a look at the players who remain and see how many are likely to return to the Orioles in 2026.

Starting pitchers

Kyle Bradish’s return from Tommy John surgery has been heartening for the team, and having Bradish and Trevor Rogers atop the rotation is a good start for 2026.

Dean Kremer and Cade Povich seem to be good bets to return, but they aren’t sure things to be in next year’s rotation. Brandon Young, who threw 7 2/3 perfect innings in Houston on August 15^th but ended the season on the 60-day injured list, will be another candidate for the rotation.

Grayson Rodriguez didn’t pitch at all in 2025, and it will be an interesting offseason and spring training for him. Will the Orioles insert him back in the rotation? Or will they try him in the bullpen, perhaps as the closer?

The Orioles have a lot invested in Rodriguez, and it’s likely that he’ll return to the rotation.

Tyler Wells has also pitched well in his first two starts after June 2024 right elbow surgery and could return to the rotation, or be a bullpen candidate.

It seems a long shot that Tomoyuki Sugano, who hasn’t missed a start, will be back with the Orioles. After a successful big league debut, it seems likely he’ll test the free-agent market.

President of baseball operations Mike Elias will likely be aggressive in the free-agent market this offseason, and it’s possible he’ll add a starter or two.

Zach Eflin, who missed the last two months of the season after back surgery, could be a candidate for a return.

Relievers

The biggest surprise of the second half has been the performance of the bullpen after the trades of Bryan Baker, Seranthony Domínguez, Andrew Kittredge and Gregory Soto, and the loss of Félix Bautista to rotator cuff and labrum surgery.

The Orioles will need a new closer for next season since Bautista will be rehabbing from his surgery.

Keegan Akin has closed in some games, but he’s more valuable as a multi-innings reliever. Albert Suárez has also been valuable, and his versatility is attractive to the team.

Yennier Cano has had an erratic 2025 and might not return.

Kade Strowd, who was a 12^th-round draft pick in 2019, has been excellent in his time with the team. In-season pickups Dietrich Enns, Rico Garcia and Grant Wolfram have been effective and might get consideration for another season.

The Orioles have been intrigued by Colin Selby, but he’s pitched in only nine games, and he’s missed valuable time in August and September with a strained left hamstring. So has Scott Blewett, whose right elbow injury has sidelined him for the second half of the season.

This is another area that Elias is likely to focus on this fall.

Catchers

The Orioles seem set here. Samuel Basallo has had an exciting first few weeks in the majors, earning an eight-year, $67 million extension and getting two walk-off hits. Adley Rutschman has played only 85 games because of two stints on the injured list for strained obliques, and a full season of Basallo and Rutschman could be key.

Alex Jackson has been a pleasant surprise since he was an emergency acquisition in early July. Since Basallo plays first base and Rutschman has been used as a designated hitter, it’s possible the Orioles could carry Basallo, Rutschman and Jackson.

Gary Sánchez has played just 29 games because of two long stays on the injured list and won’t return in 2026.

Infielders

Three-quarters of the starting infield is set. Third baseman Jordan Westburg, who has been limited to 73 games because of injuries, shortstop Gunnar Henderson and second baseman Jackson Holliday give the Orioles quality at those positions.

Coby Mayo has had a long audition, and while his stats have been disappointing, the club remains bullish on him at first base.

It will be interesting to see if Ryan Mountcastle, who has one season remaining before free agency, returns. He’s hit well after missing two months with a hamstring injury, but hasn’t shown much power.

The Orioles could try to bring in a left-handed hitting first baseman, such as Ryan O’Hearn, but Basallo could fill that role.

It’s unlikely that Jorge Mateo, who hasn’t logged much time on the field for the last 14 months, will return. Emmanuel Rivera’s return is questionable, too.

Luis Vázquez has played well in the field, but his bat has been lacking. The Orioles will probably look for an upgrade in a reserve infielder, although promising rookie Jeremiah Jackson can play the outfield and infield.

Outfielders

Here’s the area where the Orioles might be the most aggressive.

Even though Tyler O’Neill has an opt-out after this season, don’t expect him to leave. The Orioles can only hope for better health and more production in 2026.

Colton Cowser has been disappointing offensively and, like Rutschman and Westburg, has had multiple stints on the injured list.

Dylan Beavers has had a terrific first four weeks in the majors, including a walk-off hit and a game-winning hit this week, and the Orioles are excited about a full season from him.

Perhaps the most unexpected addition to the team has been Jackson, who’s hit well, mostly as a rightfielder, but has also played third base occasionally with Westburg out. Jackson was an addition after the trade deadline, and while his fielding hasn’t been stellar, his bat has been.

Dylan Carlson has filled it when others have been hurt, but his return next year is questionable.

Call for questions: I answer Orioles questions most weekdays. Please send yours to: Rich@BaltimoreBaseball.com.