Baltimore Orioles’ Potential Bright Near-Future Reflects In Farm System

As the Baltimore Orioles head into an offseason that is anticipated to be a busy one, a cloud of uncertainty hovers regarding how the team will approach free agency. 

However, one thing has become certain for the Orioles as they head into a busy offseason – their farm system consists of some of the top talent among the minor leagues, representing a potential bright future with their young prospects.

In MLB Pipeline’s recent Top-100 prospect update, the Orioles have six prospects on the list, which is tied for the most of any farm system in the league with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners and Tampa Bay Rays.

The list marks the first time Baltimore has had at least six prospects on the list since the 2024 year. That was just before the Orioles stocked their roster with the young talent that still remains on their active roster. This time around, the list may be even younger.

Baltimore’s top current prospect is outfielder Eric Booth Jr., who checks in at No. 36 on the top-100 list. Booth Jr. is in the top-10 of outfield prospects and was the Orioles’ No. 7 overall pick in this year’s MLB draft. The left-handed outfielder is only 18 years old and made his professional debut in Single-A this summer.

Checking in shortly after Booth Jr. is right-handed starter Anthony Eyanson at No. 45 on the list, who the Orioles acquired from the Boston Red Sox earlier this season in the Adley Rutschman trade.

Eyanson was dominant in his first full season in the minor leagues. He cruised his way to a 1.54 ERA across 99 ⅓ innings in High-A and Double-A, emerging as a quick riser on the top-100 charts. He was also recently recognized to MLB Pipeline’s All-Prospect first team.

Left-handed starter Joseph Dzierwa, who is ranked No. 69 on the top-100 list, was recently named the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year, an honor given to the top pitcher in the Orioles’ farm system over the season. The southpaw earned himself a promotion to Double-A in the middle of the season and was dominant all year, posting a 2.27 ERA in 131 innings pitched throughout the season.

Lefty starter Caden Hunter checks in at No. 92 on the list, as he shined throughout the year and also earned himself a promotion to Double-A towards the end of the year. He showcased strong strikeout numbers over the year. 

The final two prospects on the list are two hitters — Ike Irish at No. 95 and Enddy Azocar at No. 99.

Irish had himself a strong start to the year until he had his season cut short due to a meniscus tear. He was dominant in the games leading up to the injury and seemed to be on the way to a promotion to Double-A. Currently, Irish has been mashing in the Arizona Fall League, as he has also had a couple of home runs.

Azocar was another acquisition from the Rutschman trade, and also had himself a strong year in 2026. The outfielder had a .295 batting average and a .885 OPS in 110 games this year, while also owning a strong arm in the outfield.

Though the Orioles are unlikely to see any of these pieces come into the fold at the major league level in 2027, having such talent recognized in the farm system is a big bright spot for the team’s future going forward. 

Baltimore had a group of seven top-100 prospects in 2023, which consisted of top overall prospect Gunnar Henderson, Grayson Rodriguez, Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, Jordan Westburg, Heston Kjerstad and DL Hall.