Learning To Fly ranks the Orioles' top prospects in several different categories
*Cover Photo Credit: Kate Kirsch, Norfolk Tides
For the first time, Learning To Fly has pre-season prospect rankings! Stay on this post to see how I, Grant, rank some of the top talent in the Orioles' farm system in different categories from individual skillsets to rankings by position. You will also find the big countdown that is my selections for the Orioles' top 30 prospects. Some names should not be surprising, but some names might surprise you!
Orioles Top 25 Prospects Ranked by Learning To Fly (with 2024 Minor League stats)
*indicates that 2024 draftees are given their 2024 college statistics
C Samuel Basallo (.278, 19 HR, 65 RBI, .790 OPS): the game's top catching prospect is only 20-years-young, but has been a developing talent for many years prior. His bat control and whole-field power make for an elite hitting prospect, but the boom he brings in his power swing is stupid ridiculous. His defense behind the dish is going to continue to grow as he is already a good thrower and pitch-framer. Basallo would benefit to start with Triple-A Norfolk, but he could be on track to make it to the big leagues and be a student to former first overall pick Adley Rutschman.
IF Coby Mayo (.293, 25 HR, 73 RBI, .964 OPS): there is no question that Mayo, who stands a 6'5" and 230 lbs., has the best power bat in the Orioles' farm system right now. He has hit home runs that I guarantee you are still in the sky somewhere. His monstrous, right-handed hack is ready to take on the big leagues, though the Orioles need to find where he can see consistent MLB reps. His power could be useful in some power-friendly places including Boston, New York, Tampa Bay, and even Houston.
OF Enrique Bradfield Jr. (.272, 35 RBI, 74 SB, .729 OPS): speed kills, and Vandy alum Bradfield Jr. has utizilied it to become a pain for opposing teams. He'll use it to steal bases, leg out routine ground balls, and cover fly balls that your average centerfield might not get to. Bradfield is the old-school small-ball speed threat of past times, and the Orioles could use that asset in the future to prepare the power bats for runs and big scenarios. He's the fastest player that I have seen come through the system in a while.
OF Dylan Beavers (.242, 15 HR, 54 RBI, .750 OPS): the 2022 first rounder is one of the most pure hitters in the organization. I love how his short, compact swing allows him to manipulate where the ball goes, and he has a great batter's eye. Pitchers have to earn their otus against Beavers, who is one of the most pesky hitters in the organization. He will get on base a lot (.342 OBP in 2024), which sets himself up for running opportunities (31 SB last year). Beavers is an all-around athlete with a long, successful Major League career ahead of him. That career could potentially begin sometime this upcoming summer.
RHP Chayce McDermott (100 IP, 3.78 ERA, 144 K, 1.410 WHIP): the right-hander has a big audition coming up in Spring Training next month, and there is a lot to like about the O's top pitching prospect. Armed with a 96 MPH sinker and a late-breaking curveball, he has the stuff to collect a high number of swings and misses at the big league level. Once he works on his command and the walks, he could become the unsung hero that could solve some of the pending myseries of the Orioles' starting rotation.
OF Vance Honeycutt *(.318, 28 HR, 70 RBI, 28 SB, 1.124 OPS): the Orioles cannot mess up ths first round pick, as Honeycutt was one of the most athletic, well-rounded players taken in last year's first round. He'll pop 25-plus homers, steal 25-30 bases, and make the outfield his own playground. It is obvious that he endured some challenges and adjustments in his first taste of pro ball last year. Now, he has a full pro season ahead of him, so I'd expect a breakout from the former Tar Heels fan-favorite. He'll get to Double-A Chesapeake at some point in 2025.
IF Griff O'Ferrall *(.324, 52 RBI, 17 SB, .821 OPS): O'Ferrall, who turned 22 on February 2, was by far the smoothest fielding infielder that I saw last season. He covers a ton of ground up the middle, and he has a smooth glove with smooth hands that absorb ground balls like a vacuum. O'Ferrall does not need power, as his hard contact is enough to do produce run-scoring opportunities. This young infielder is one of the most underappreciated picks in the high rounds of last year's draft, and the Orioles have him.
OF Jud Fabian (.215, 20 HR, 65 RBI, .695 OPS): this 24-year-old Floridian is built on power. He has an aggressive right-handed upper cut that produces hard contact and exciting pull power. This can also cause swing-and-miss issues (177 strikeouts last year), but the trade off is that power production and for Fabian specifically, good outfield defense. Fabian makes for a solid middle-of-the-order power threat, and he could be close to a big league promotion sometime this summer.
RHP Dylan Heid (64 IP, 1.69 ERA, 60 K, 1.156 ERA): this guy is sneaky-good, and he is not talked about enough. He's a pure strike thrower who hits his spots and mixes in all of his pitches well. According to his training videos on social media, he plans on adding a hard knuckleball into his repertoire, which could make him even more tricky to hit against. After a year and a half in Double-A where he posted a 1.67 ERA, Heid does not need to be there anymore. I want to see him break through the doors of Camden Yards and fit into the Orioles' bullpen this summer.
OF Thomas Sosa (.230, 19 2B, 20 RBI, 30 SB, .654 OPS): this 20-year-old from the Donminican Republic is another pure athlete who has great speed and mobility. He runs very well as evidenced by his 30 stolen bases. Tall as he may be (6'3"), his swing is actually very compact for someone who would be expected to have a longer swing. Think of it as a Francisco Lindor swing. His bat-to-ball coordination is excellent and while it may not produce power, it produces solid contact. Sosa has a ways to go, but he is an athletic prodigy in the makings in the lower A-ball levels.
RHP Pat Reilly (119.1 IP, 3.47 ERA, 146 K, 1.182 WHIP): the O's swapped Billy Cook for Reilly last summer in a Minor League trade that might not end up being so minor for the Orioles. The former Vanderbilt standout impressed last year as he showed that he will collect strikeouts and control opposing offenses. His 6.2 hits per nine innings was a two-point decrease from when he was still in college. He is armed with a mid-90s fastball and a solid changeup. Fans should be keeping a close eye on Reilly this year, as I fully believe that he could become a steal of a trade chip for the organization.
IF/C Ethan Anderson *(.331, 8 HR, 40 RBI, .943 OPS): O'Ferrall's University of Virginia teammate seemed comfortable transitioning from college to pro ball last fall, as his sweet neutral-leveled left-handed swing led him to a .288 batting average in 19 Minor League games. I was impressed with how the ball jumped off of his bat the way it did. His struggles on defense behind the plate might signify that he will develop more as a first baseman, but the Orioles have a special bat in progress in the Hawaiian-born Anderson.
OF Austin Overn *(.270, 32 RBI, .349 OBP, .810 OPS): this 6'0"outfielder reminds me a lot of Nate McLouth, a top-of-the-order bat who is quick, hits line drives, gets on base a lot, and sets the middle of the order up for run-scoring opportunities. Their loads, swings, and bat paths are very similar. Overn adjusted to pro pitching well last fall, as he posted an .865 OPS in 21 games split between Delmarva and Aberdeen. He also played a solid defense wih a 3.32 range factor (per nine innings) in rightfield and an assist. I'm excited to see how he takes a step up this season.
IF Aron Estrada (.286, 52 RBI, 39 SB, .772 OPS): this guy put on quite the show last season at just 19-years-old. He stood out on a Delmarva team that struggled offensively for the most part, hitting .295 with them and winning the Carolina League's Player of the Month for June (he hit .356 in June). He deservably got a promotion to Aberdeen late last season and even entered MLB Pipeline's Top 30 prospect rankings for the Birds. As he will most likely begin in Aberdeen in April, he looks to carry his success from last season into the new year and sneak up as a highly-touted top infield prospect for the organization. I absolutely love this guy and what he brings to the table, and I told him exactly that last season when he reached Aberdeen.
RHP Michael Forret (99.2 IP, 3.88 ERA, 124 K, 1.290 WHIP): last year was Forret's first year of pro ball straight out of JUCO, and he made an immediate splash into the organization. The innings eater utilized a sharp, downwards dropping changeup to gather swings-and-misses. He also became very versatile as he can work either in the starting rotation or out of the bullpen. Forret was a surprise success story pleasant surprise out of nowhere and if he keeps moving along well, he'll only keep climbing the Orioles' prospect rankings.
RHP Cameron Weston (109 IP, 2.97 ERA, 127 K, 1.009 WHIP): how would you like to face a hard-throwing 6'2" sidearmer? It can't be fun, but that is what you are up against when facing Weston, a 24-year-old from Pittsburgh. He will attack the zone early and often, and he will not walk you (2.6 BB/9 in 2024, a very good number). He'll throw you a 95 MPH sinking fastball, then flick a mid-80s changeup that drops out of nowhere. I loved watching Weston pitch last season, as he rose as one of Bowie/Chesapeake's most consistent, most efficient starting pitchers. This guy, who has a career Minor League 1.071 WHIP, is going to be fun to watch in 2025.
RHP Brandon Young (111 IP, 3.57 ERA, 132 K, 1.252 WHIP): after Tommy John surgery derailed his 2022 and 2023 seasons, Young returned fully healthy in 2024 and put up some big time numbers with both Bowie/Chesapeake and Norfolk. The strike thrower posted a 10.7 K/9 and allowed just 37 walks all year. He is armed with a 93 MPH fastball and a low-80s changeup, but what makes him so tricky to hit against is that he hides the ball well with a simplistic, yet fine-tunred overhand motion. The Texas native is now on the Orioles' 40-man roster, and he is deservably in the mix to compete for a roster spot at some point in 2025.
OF Douglas Hodo III (.244, 37 RBI, 51 SB, .770 OPS): like many of his fellow Aberdeen outfielders in 2024, the former Texas Longhorn utilized speed to kickstart the offense. He is generally aggressive on the base paths, always looking to push an extra 90 feet and get that much closer to a run. Hodo makes good contact with the bat, even with an elavated swing that intends on lifting the ball. The Orioles have a promising prospect haul of outfielders and while many may not be familiar with Hodo, he certainly has a solid set of tools that should not go unnoticed, especially as he begins his time in the upper levels of the Minors in 2025 (he'll start with the Baysox).
RHP Alex Pham (119 IP, 4.24 ERA, 138 K, 1.235 WHIP): nobody's curveball in the organization moves more than Pham's does, and it is a tricky one. He really strides out and stays over the top with his windup, and that allows big vertical break coming from his release point, which is pinpoint the same with each pitch. Pham is armed with a good arsenal of a 4-seam fastball, that ridiculous curveball, and a good changeup. His numbers are elavated from a rough start in April and May last year, but his second half was incredible (6-3, 3.00 ERA). Pham could take a gigantic leap in 2025.
C Creed Willems (.243, 17 HR, 65 RBI, .788 OPS): a fan-favorite who is adored everywhere he goes, Willems is forming into a solidified catching prospect. He supplied much of Aberdeen's run production after leading in home runs (13) and RBI (51). He has a big left-handed stroke fit for power production, which will suit him well at Prince George's Stadium in 2025. His defense has come a long way as well, especially his pitch framing. He does a great job commanding the zone with his glove. Willems is primed for a big 2025 season with Chesapeake to start, and there are thousands of fans who are supporting him in his journey. I'm one of them.
RHP Zach Fruit (107 IP, 3.03 ERA, 113 K, 1.243 WHIP): some Ironbirds fans called for a promotion to Double-A for Fruit last season, but the fact that it was his first full pro season made for good reason to let him develop at High-A. It was a great year for the former Frederick Key who turned in some key appearances for the 'Birds including two hitless starts and a 6-inning shutout performance on August 20. Heading into the 2025 season, there should be little doubt that Fruit will get a roster spot with the Baysox and contribute to their starting rotation this year.
IF Leandro Arias (.230, 5 HR, 49 RBI, .664 OPS): the newly-turned 20-year-old is helping spearhead the plethora of the Orioles' newfound international talent from recent years. The numbers indicate that the power has not quite come around yet, but it well. As evidenced by this grand slam, Arias has a swing built for power, which could come in handy with runners in scoring position. He also did slug .947 in the Florida Coast League this summer before joining Delmarva. There are concerns about his glove but Arias is young, maturing, and developing at the same time. He has plenty of time to work and bolster his skillsets, but he has what it takes to become a well-rounded infield prodigy int he future.
RHP Nestor German (73.2 IP, 1.59 ERA, 90 K, 0.937 WHIP): German was an 11th rounder in 2023 out of Seattle University, but he made quite the splash in 2024. He allowed only 5.8 hits per nine innings, and nobody took him yard. He is similar to Pham in that he throws very over-the-top, thus resulting in a very sharp breaking ball. He hides the ball well and his arm motion is smooth and very "back to basics." German had a special 2024 season, and I am excited to see how he takes the next big leap in the 2025 season. This is a guy that everyone should be keeping an eye on in Low-A baseball.
RHP Kyle Virbitsky (57.2 IP, 3.43 ERA, 69 K, 1.197 WHIP): the 6'7" Penn State product completed his transition into a reliever in 2024, and it went fairly well. While with Aberdeen, he showcased his command and his ability to limit base runners with a 15-game walkless streak. He only walked 15 batters last season, and he holds a MiLN lifetime 2.6 BB/9, which is a very good number. Virbitsky figures to start the season with the Baysox in 2025, and I believe that he could very well be a high-end impact reliever for them and in the years coming.
RHP Blake Money (103 IP, 3.15 ERA, 119 K, 1.058 WHIP): in a season where pitching struggled in Delmarva, Money showed out for the Shorebirds. The former LSU product is another one of those reliable arms who will attack the zone and limit free damage (2.2 BB/9 last year). In addition, lefties hit just .197 against him last year and it is seemingly game over when he is ahead in the count (.176 BA against). The Orioles had him work both out of the rotation and in the bullpen as they had many of their prospect arms do in 2024. Nonetheless, whatever role that Money will end up taking in his career, he will do it well.
RHP Trace Bright (112 IP, 4.18 ERA, 120 K, 1.482 WHIP): Bright faced some bad luck last season as he went winless in 27 starts (0-11). However, he still has good stuff that could pan out at the higher levels of the game. The former Auburn product slings the ball from a 3/4 arm slot and does a good job at spotting his breaking stuff, especially when he reaches two strikes. That is why he collects so many punchouts. He runs into trouble when behind in the count (.344 BA against) and then he sometimes looses feel for his stuff (4.8 BB/9). Regardless, there is still a big future ahead for this right-hander and if he can put it all together in 2025, then he could be primed for a big season out of Chesapeake's rotation. The experts still say there is only good things to come from Bright.
RHP Edgar Portes (94.1 IP, 3.34 ERA, 119 K, 1.336 WHIP): ever since I saw Portes pitch for the first time in 2023, I've always been a huge fan of his. The slim, 6'2" 22-year-old from the Dominican Republic throws hard with a herky-jerky delivery. He overpowers opponents when he is ahead in the count with a high-90s fastball, which is an elavated velocity especially for Single-A ball. He is already at an advantage velocity wise, and he just knows how to overpower his opponents once he "has them cornered." Portes was a weapon all year last year for Aberdeen, and he is truly developing into one of the Orioles' top pitching prospects that deserves extended looks from experts and scouts.
OF Tavian Josenberger (.235, 39 RBI, 50 SB, .744 OPS): the Orioles' 2023 third round selection had a successful 2024 season while showcasing his patience, athleticism, and speed. His ability to get on base (.345 OBP) sets him up to cause havoc on the base paths, and he is a demon once he reaches base. He is not afraid to take an extra 90 feet, and he had to much of last year as Aberdeen struggled to drive in runs and capitalize on RBI chances. Josenberger is one of the most athletic Orioles prospects, and he'll look to take that with him to Double-A Chesapeake this year.
RHP Justin Armbruester (119.1 IP, 7.54 ERA, 131 K, 1.609 WHIP): so I know things didn't go Armbruester's way last year. However, I have not given up on him and I will tell you why. First off, I love his arsenal of pitches that includes a running fastball and one of those nasty overhand breaking pitches that can make a batter's knees buckly. He is also durable, ready to start a game one day then come out in relief two days later. The Orioles could make a useful reliever out of him as he showed signs of promise coming out of the 'pen last year (0.90 ERA, .147 BA against). Either way, I'm not giving up on Armbruester. He has that "mad dog" style and knowing that he is coming into this season with a chip on his shoulder, I expect he'll have the dream season this year.
C Adam Retzbach (.178, 7 HR, 38 RBI, .634 OPS): the Lehigh alum has the best defense out of all Orioles' Minor League catchers, particularly in framing. If there were statistics keeping track of the organization's framing and runs saved from stolen strikes, he has to be at the top. He does a great job with the low strike, quickly snapping the ball upwards and presenting it still to the man in blue. Don't underestimate his bat, either. He'll give you a clutch hit when your team needs it as evidenced by some big grand slams last year. A catcher's ability to save runs on defense and control the game is essential for winning ballclubs, and Retzbach is that guy back there.
Feel free to stick around and check out some of my other prospect rankings!
Orioles Top Prospects at Each Position
SP: Chayce McDermott
RP: Dylan Heid
C: Samuel Basallo
1B: Ethan Anderson
2B: Aron Estrada
3B: Coby Mayo
SS: Griff O'Ferrall
LF/OF: Jud Fabian
CF/OF: Enrique Bradfield Jr.
RF/OF: Dylan beavers
Orioles Top Prospects by Skill
Hitting
Contact: Dylan Beavers (hard, line-drive contact produced by a short and compact swing)
Power: Coby Mayo (huge right-handed hack creates big exit velocity and launch angle, plus some of the longest home runs you'll ever see)
Clutch Hitting: Jud Fabian (walk-off grand slam last April versus Altoona proves that he can be relied on in any key situation)
Speed/Base Stealing: Enrique Bradfield Jr. (70 stolen bases on paper, but blazing speed and athleticism is about the best I've seen out of any prospect in recent memory)
Pitching
Command: Cameron Weston (strike thrower; attacks early; refuses to fall behind)
Clutch: Dylan Heid (got Bowie/Chesapeake out of many tight situations and jams; most reliable reliever on last year's team)
Fastball Velocity: Chayce McDermott (can get it up to 98 MPH with sinking movement; disgusting)
Offspeed/Breaking Material: Alex Pham (stays very overhand with his delivery, creating extra vertical drop with the curveball; drops off very late)
Defense
Best Glove: Griff O'Ferrall (smooth infield glove and covers lots of ground; similar to infield style of Jackson Holliday)
Best Arm (Strength): Coby Mayo (absolute cannon for an arm)
Best Range: Enrique Bradfield Jr. (lethal speed gets him anywhere he wants; has covered gap fly balls that not even your routine big league centerfielder could get to)
Most Versatile: Dylan Beavers (can play all three outfield positions, then give you reps at first base if need be)
Catching
Best Arm: Samuel Basallo (pop time is excellent thanks to great transfer skills and a hosepiece for an arm; I dare you to run on it)
Best Blocker: Silas Ardoin (traditional secondary stance enables Ardoin to move left or right quickly; smothers the ball well and barely lets anything get by him)
Best Pitch Framer: Adam Retzbach (has mastered right-knee down stance and has a great left hand which can work under the low ball and on top of the high ball)
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