Baltimore Orioles Farm System: The Orioles’ farm system blends premium talent with athletic upside and developmental depth, headlined by Samuel Basallo, Ike Irish, and Wehiwa Aloy. With a mix of projection arms, disruptive speed, and versatile contributors, it’s a pipeline built to fuel both fantasy formats and real-world impact.
Summary
The Orioles’ farm system continues to evolve into one of the most intriguing pipelines in baseball, blending high-end talent with athletic upside and developmental depth. Headlined by Samuel Basallo and Ike Irish, the organization boasts two catchers with everyday offensive potential—Basallo brings elite bat speed and power, while Irish offers a polished hit tool and emerging pop. Wehiwa Aloy, fresh off a Golden Spikes-winning season, adds middle-infield thump and athleticism, while
Beyond the headliners, Baltimore has heavily invested in projection arms and versatile position players. Luis De Leon and Enrique Bradfield Jr. offer strikeout potential and disruptive speed. Nate George and Austin Overn showcase athleticism and tools that could lead to major fantasy success, especially with George. Michael Forret and Boston Bateman display starter qualities with physicality and improving secondary pitches. Even Dylan Beavers, despite growing platoon concerns, still possesses power and speed traits that performed well for Baltimore this season.
Altogether, this group reflects a balanced approach—high-ceiling bets, role-ready depth, and enough variance to fuel breakout potential across formats.
AI-Assisted Fantasy Tiers: Methodology and Observations
AI has made significant strides in all aspects of our lives. Over the past four years, I have compiled 500,000 words of personal scouting narratives, which have formed the foundation for training my own AI assistant. This assistant now evaluates prospects and assigns fantasy tiers exclusively based on the insights and observations contained in my write-ups.
After requesting that my AI assistant generate fantasy tiers using this year’s reports, I found that the AI’s rankings generally align with my own assessments. However, there are some cases where the AI’s evaluations differ from my personal rankings. I am sharing those differences here for your consideration.
🥇 Tier 1: Fantasy Impact Targets
- Samuel Basallo – Middle-of-the-order catcher with elite bat speed, plus power, and improving plate skills.
- Ike Irish – Advanced hit tool, emerging power, and catcher eligibility. Impact upside with multi-category juice.
- Wehiwa Aloy – 2025 Golden Spikes winner with power, athleticism, and SEC pedigree. Could be a fantasy shortstop with pop.
- Luis De Leon – Lefty with swing-and-miss stuff and ground ball efficiency. Starter traits with bullpen fallback.
🥈 Tier 2: Everyday-Upside Targets
- Nate George – Raw but toolsy with huge upside. Needs physical growth and swing refinement.
- Austin Overn – Athletic with 70-grade speed. He needs to make better contact and learn to barrel the ball.
- Enrique Bradfield Jr. – 70-grade speed, elite defense, and improving contact. If OBP holds, he’s a stolen base machine.
- Slater de Brun – A diminutive, toolsy outfielder with a great-looking swing.
🥉 Tier 3: Outside of the Impact/Everyday Targets
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2026 Player Profiles
1. Samuel Basallo (C/1B)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 C/1B
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: Middle-of-the-order catcher with elite bat speed, plus power, and improving plate skills.
Samuel Basallo made his Major League debut on August 17 and signed an 8-year, $67 million extension just three days later—an aggressive bet on a bat that had yet to log a full week in the bigs. The Triple-A track record is compelling: .270/.377/.589 with 23 home runs in 76 games. Basallo hits the ball exceptionally hard and, with enough playing time, could compete for a league home run title.
The swing is explosive but aggressive, and that’s the key area for refinement. He makes average contact and can get pull-happy, risking a .240/.290 profile if the approach slips. Still, the power is real—elite exit velocities, leverage, and damage on contact. A comp to Junior Caminero fits well: young, volatile, and capable of anchoring a lineup if the zone control holds.
Fantasy managers should treat Basallo as a cornerstone bat with top-50 upside. There’s risk in the approach, but the power is loud enough to carry value even in cold stretches. If he settles into a .250/.330/.500 profile with 30+ homers, the Orioles’ bet will look prescient—and fantasy managers will be thrilled.
2. Ike Irish (C/OF/1B, #19)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 Catcher
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: Advanced hit tool, emerging power, and catcher eligibility. Impact upside with multi-category juice.
Drafted 19th overall in 2025, Ike Irish was one of the better pure hitters in a thin college class, with 39 career home runs at Auburn and a polished offensive foundation. His exit velocity data suggests more average power than true 20+ HR upside, but the hit tool is advanced and should carry him through the lower levels. Irish is relatively new to catching and carries some risk of moving off the position—similar to Tyler Soderstrom’s trajectory.
A shift to first base or corner outfield could boost his real-life value, but it would dampen his fantasy appeal. As a catcher-eligible bat with contact skills and playable power, Irish profiles as a potential Top 15 fantasy catcher if he sticks behind the plate. His Low-A debut was modest (.230/.296/.297 in 20 games), but not unexpected for a player adjusting to pro pitching.
Fantasy managers should treat Irish as a long-term catching investment with hit-first appeal. If he stays behind the plate, the bat could carry him into fantasy relevance even without big power. If he moves off the position, he’ll need to hit his way into corner viability—making the defensive trajectory a key variable to monitor.
3. Wehiwa Aloy (SS/3B, #31)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 15 SS or 2B
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: 2025 Golden Spikes winner with power, athleticism, and SEC pedigree. Could be a fantasy shortstop with pop.
Drafted 31st overall in 2025, Wehiwa Aloy was the Golden Spikes Award winner and one of the most productive college bats in a down class. He slashed .350/.434/.673 with 21 home runs and nine stolen bases at Arkansas, showcasing plus power driven by high-end exit velocities and SEC-tested production. The Orioles assigned him to Low-A, where he posted a solid .288/.356/.500 line over 20 games to open his pro career.
Aloy swings hard and can expand the zone with a long, aggressive path. His 20.6% strikeout rate raises questions about contact ability, but the raw tools are loud. If he tightens the approach and maintains his swing decisions, there’s real impact potential—especially if the power translates against pro velocity. He’s a bat-first profile with corner infield or DH lean, and the early returns are promising.
Fantasy managers should treat Aloy as a power-hitting corner bat with Top 150 upside. The strikeouts may cap batting average, but the exit velocity and production suggest 25+ HR potential. If the approach holds, he could grow into a middle-of-the-order threat with multi-category relevance.
4. Nate George (OF)
- Highest Level: High-A ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 OF
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: Raw but toolsy with huge upside. Needs physical growth and swing refinement.
A 16th-round pick in 2024, Nate George signed for a well-above-slot $455,000 bonus and has quickly outperformed expectations. At just 19 years old, he’s strong, athletic, and shows plenty of bat speed to suggest future power. His 70-grade speed may taper as he fills out, but the early returns are impressive—especially for a late-rounder. George slashed .325/.402/.469 across three levels in 2025, with five home runs and 49 stolen bases.
The most surprising trait is his contact quality. George struck out just 16% of the time, showing bat-to-ball skills that are rare for a toolsy prep profile. The swing is compact and direct, and while the power is still developing, the foundation is strong. He’s validating the Orioles’ aggressive developmental push and looks like a breakout candidate from the 2024 draft class.
Fantasy managers should view George as a rising Dynasty asset, particularly in terms of speed, contact, and projection. If the power ticks up, he could grow into a 15-HR, 30+ SB contributor with OBP value. He’s climbing my Top 500 Prospect List fast—and for good reason.
5. Dylan Beavers (OF)
- Highest Level: Majors ETA: 2025 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: Athletic corner OF with power/speed traits, but platoon issues are mounting. Struggles against lefties may cap everyday role.
Dylan Beavers, the Orioles’ second-round pick in 2022, made his Major League debut in August 2025—just one day before Samuel Basallo. He held his own in his call-up, slashing .256/.407/.433 with three home runs and two stolen bases. The Orioles staggered their debuts to give each prospect a spotlight, and Beavers responded with mature plate discipline and strong-side production.
As in the minors, most of Beavers’ damage came against right-handed pitching. He hit 100 points lower against lefties, and of his 44 minor league home runs, only two came off southpaws—both back in High-A in 2023. The splits are stark, and like Evan Carter, Beavers may settle into a platoon role. That could frustrate fantasy managers hoping for full-time production, but even as a strong-side bat, he profiles as a solid No. 4 outfielder.
Fantasy managers should treat Beavers as a matchup-dependent asset with OBP and power against righties. If he ever figures out left-handed pitching, the ceiling jumps into No. 2 outfielder territory. For now, he’s a platoon bat with sneaky value in daily formats and deeper leagues.
6. Austin Overn (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 OF with contact risk
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: Athletic with 70-grade speed. He needs to make better contact and learn to barrel the ball.
Drafted in the third round in 2024, Austin Overn is a dual-sport athlete who made the USC football team before fully committing to baseball. He’s an athletic outfielder with explosive tools and raw execution, flashing elite speed and gap power in High-A. Overn stole 43 bases and earned an early August promotion to Double-A, finishing the year with 64 steals and only eight caught stealing.
The swing shows loft, but he’s still learning to drive the ball with authority. His 27% strikeout rate is the most significant developmental hurdle, driven by zone expansion and aggressive swing decisions. The speed is real, and the instincts are sharp, but the bat will need refinement to unlock full fantasy value. If he trims the strikeouts and adds strength, the ceiling becomes much more compelling.
Fantasy managers should treat Overn as a long-term investment with category juice. The stolen bases give him immediate intrigue, and if the contact improves, he could grow into a 10–15 HR, 30+ SB contributor. For now, he’s a tools bet—one worth holding in deeper formats, especially given Baltimore’s developmental track record.
7. Slater de Brun (OF, #37)
- Highest Level: DNP ETA: 2028 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 45 OF
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: A diminutive, toolsy outfielder with a great-looking swing.
Selected in the competitive balance portion of the first round, Slater de Brun signed for $4 million—well above slot and reflective of mid-first-round value. He’s a diminutive outfielder with explosive bat speed, generating surprising power for his frame. A 70-grade runner, de Brun clocked a 6.39-second 60-yard dash in 2024 and opened eyes with his athleticism and swing efficiency.
During workouts, he drew comparisons to Corbin Carroll—who ran a 6.33 and posted a 97 MPH exit velocity. De Brun came in just behind at 6.39 and 95 MPH, making Carroll the dream outcome and Jake Meyers a more realistic comp. The swing is clean, the tools are loud, and while there’s risk in translation, the upside is real. He’ll need to prove the power plays and the hit tool holds against pro velocity.
Fantasy managers should treat de Brun as a high-variance upside play with speed and bat speed. If the contact quality holds and the power develops, he could grow into a 15–20 HR, 25+ SB contributor. For now, he’s a tools bet—one worth stashing in deeper formats.
8. Enrique Bradfield Jr. (OF)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2026 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 60 OF with fourth OF risk
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: 70-grade speed, elite defense, and improving contact. If OBP holds, he’s a stolen base machine.
Enrique Bradfield has largely lived up to expectations, making excellent contact, covering immense ground in center field, and profiling as a true 80-grade defender. His swing is built for contact, and while he’s strong enough to rack up doubles, there’s little evidence of emerging home run power. Now in Double-A, the lack of slugging has become more glaring, and Bradfield increasingly resembles Chandler Simpson—a speedster with limited offensive impact but elite stolen base instincts.
In an era where exit velocity drives value, Bradfield’s profile leans heavily on defense and OBP. He’ll need to unlock at least 5–10 HR power to become a compelling fantasy asset. Without it, he’s likely to settle into a part-time role—200 to 300 at-bats, strong-side platoon, and late-game defensive replacement. If this were 1982, he’d be a lineup fixture. Today, he’s fighting for fantasy relevance in a power-driven landscape.
Fantasy managers should treat Bradfield as a speed/OBP specialist with real-world value but capped fantasy ceiling. In deep formats or daily leagues, he could offer stolen base juice and matchup utility. But unless the power ticks up, he’s more fourth outfielder than fantasy starter.
9. Luis De Leon (LHP)
- Highest Level: Double-A ETA: 2027 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 50 SP if he can throw enough strikes
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: Lefty with swing-and-miss stuff and ground ball efficiency. Starter traits with bullpen fallback.
Luis De Leon began the 2025 season on the injured list but quickly shook off the rust, climbing from Low-A to Double-A by year’s end. He throws hard with natural downhill tilt, producing a heavy fastball that generates a 57% ground ball rate and limits elevation. De Leon flashes a plus changeup and a solid-average slider, striking out roughly a batter per inning with swing-and-miss traits from the left side.
The issue is consistency. His release point floats, and when he falls out of sync, command suffers. More advanced hitters may eventually pick up pitch type based on slot variation, though that hasn’t surfaced yet. The arm talent is undeniable, but his inability to repeat the delivery is holding him back. If the mechanics tighten, the profile could jump quickly.
Fantasy managers should treat De Leon as a high-upside starter with volatility. If the delivery clicks, he could grow into a mid-rotation arm with strikeouts and ground ball efficiency. If not, a bullpen move looms—but either way, the stuff is good enough to warrant a watchlist spot in deeper formats.
10. Caden Bodine (C, #30)
- Highest Level: Low-A ETA: 2027-28 Fantasy Ceiling: Top 20 Catcher
- Last Updated: 11/25/2025
- Tools Summary: He rarely strikes out but needs to get the ball into the air to unlock his power.
Caden Bodine was the Orioles’ fourth first-round pick in the 2025 Draft and one of the tougher evaluations in the class. His college resume features elite plate discipline—just a 7.7% strikeout rate and twice as many walks as strikeouts—but also a three-year decline in power. In his draft year, Bodine hit only five home runs in 313 plate appearances, with data suggesting he’s lost his leverage and is pounding everything into the ground.
There’s still bat speed here, and with a swing tweak, the power could return. Fortunately, the Orioles are one of the best organizations for such a transformation. If Bodine can rediscover 15-HR pop while maintaining his elite zone control, he could grow into a Top 15 offensive catcher. The foundation is strong—contact, OBP, and defensive value—and the upside hinges on unlocking impact.
Fantasy managers should view Bodine as a long-term catching investment, boasting elite plate skills and latent power. If the swing adjustment clicks, he could become a high-OBP, mid-power backstop with everyday fantasy relevance. Betting on the come makes sense here—especially in formats that reward discipline and positional scarcity.
