The biggest addition for the Baltimore Orioles this winter is Pete Alonso, a hitter-first slugger who doesn't have the best defense, nor the best speed.
But he's an incredible pickup, and could be a force to be reckoned with in the middle of the Orioles lineup for years to come. And yet, a player with the near polar opposite skillset is one of the most interesting players to watch for in 2026.
Jake Rill of MLB.com shared that top outfield prospect Enrique Bradfield Jr. Is the Orioles' top prospect to watch for in 2026. The 24-year-old center field prospect complements the lineup well, and could be a huge piece for the Orioles outfield in 2026.
Orioles' Enrique Bradfield Jr. Could be perfect complement to Pete Alonso, new look lineup
"Bradfield's 80-grade speed and 70-grade defense are part of a skill set unlike any player currently in the big leagues in Baltimore," Rill writes, "so he should complement the lineup well when he arrives."
Bradfield Jr. Is 24 years old and could be a mid-season addition to the lineup for Baltimore. If one of the current outfielders struggles, and Bradfield Jr. Thrives in Triple-A, then he could come up as a huge asset.
His incredible defense and speed would give the Orioles an interesting chess piece at worst, and if he could figure out how to consistently hit, then he would have a chance to turn into a star.
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This past season, between Rookie ball (3 games), High A (8 games), Double-A (50 games), and Triple-A (15 games), Bradfield Jr. Hit.242 with a.696 OPS.
He's not the best hitter, with a career minor league OPS of.728. But his stellar defense and elite speed make him one of the more interesting prospects in the Orioles' farm system.
Bradfield Jr. Could be an incredibly fun player for the Orioles in 2026, as he could earn a Summer call-up to the Majors depending on injuries, performance, or potentially in the aftermath of a trade.
Rill named Bradfield Jr. As the team's top prospect to watch this upcoming season, and with how he's so different from the current lineup and outfield, it makes a lot of sense.
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