Baltimore Orioles Have Decision to Make With Their Outfield

We are ten days into spring training, and it is still unclear as to which Baltimore Orioles outfielders will make the opening day roster. There's no debating that Baltimore has an abundance of talent in their outfield, varying from big name free agent acquisitions, former first round draft-picks and top prospects. However, consistent success from these players in the regular season remains to be unseen. 

Baltimore's outfield is made up of veterans, former top prospects, and hopeful breakout candidates. Taylor Ward gives Baltimore a much needed veteran with elite power. Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad and Dylan Beavers make out to be an unproven, yet talented group, with Tyler O'Neill and Leody Taveras hoping to breakout once more in 2026. 

Baltimore does have an extremely talented outfield group, but not all players will have a spot for opening day. However, we have a pretty good understanding of which players will, such as newly acquired power hitter Ward and former American League Rookie of the Year runner up in Cowser. 

With that being said, the expectation is that O'Neill will also have a guaranteed spot on the opening day roster, as he was rewarded with a three-year, $48 million dollar contract in November 2024. Additionally, O'Neill has gotten off to a lightning hot start in spring training where in 13 plate appearances, he has a 1.692 OPS with one home-run and three RBI's. Given his large salary and strong spring training start, O'Neill seems poised to make Baltimore's opening day roster. 

As for Taveras, he was an extremely under the radar signing by Mike Elias in early November, but has displayed his strong bat to ball skills and defense which will make it difficult to leave him off of the opening day roster. In 11 plate appearances, Taveras has a .364 batting average with a .909 OPS. Luckily for Taveras, he has a few minor league options which could incline Baltimore to start him off down in Triple-A. 

Kjerstad, a former first-round pick, has all the talent in the world but has struggled to stay healthy. However, Kjerstad has appeared to be turning a corner in 2026 as he has dazzled so far in spring training. In 15 plate appearances, Kjerstad has a .429/.467/.714 slash-line with one home-run and two RBI's. Kjerstad was reportedly putting in work with MLB legend and son of teammate Jackson Holliday, Matt Holliday in the off-season to work on his swing. So far, it's looking like the guidance from Holliday has been working. 

Beavers bursted onto the scene in 2025 as one of Baltimore's top prospects, and did not disappoint in his debut season. In 137 at bats, Beavers posted a .227/.375/.400 slash-line with four home-runs and 14 RBI's with a stellar 19.0% walk rate. Beavers has already displayed his strong on base abilities, while displaying solid outfield defense. However, Beavers has gotten off to a rather slow start in spring training with a .214 batting average and a .643 OPS in 14 plate appearances. However, as one of Baltimore's top prospects heading into 2026, Beavers already has made a strong case to make Baltimore's opening day roster. 

Baltimore has a handful of MLB ready outfielders who will compete to make the opening day roster, and it will be interesting to see which players pave their way to the top.