CHICAGO -- A lot of new prospects were acquired by the Orioles via trades in July -- 15 to be exact, including a dozen who joined the organization on Thursday ahead of the Trade Deadline.
Here’s a closer look at the prospects who have been added to Baltimore’s Top 30 rankings (per MLB Pipeline).
No. 6 Boston Bateman, LHP, Single-A
Acquired in Ryan O’Hearn/Ramón Laureano trade with Padres
Pipeline scouting report: “He’ll only be 19 for the duration of the 2025 Minor League season, and the upside is significant, especially if he carries his impressive work ethic into the pros. There’s always the fallback of being a big, dominant lefty out of the bullpen with that heater and breaking ball.” More >>
Organizational fit: Bateman is the second-highest ranked pitcher in the system behind only right-hander Esteban Mejia (No. 4). The 2024 second-round Draft pick could soon get bumped up to High-A after posting a 4.08 ERA over 15 starts for Single-A Lake Elsinore.
ETA: 2028
No. 9 Juaron Watts-Brown, RHP, Double-A
Acquired in Seranthony Domínguez trade with Blue Jays
Pipeline scouting report: “He should continue to get every opportunity to develop as a starter given his gains, though the Orioles likely know how much that slider could play up in shorter relief stints should he have to shift to the bullpen.” More >>
Organizational fit: Watts-Brown has already logged 11 starts at Double-A, recording a 3.48 ERA over 51 2/3 innings for New Hampshire. It’s possible the 23-year-old could get to the big leagues at some point in 2026, though it’s more likely to be in the second half.
ETA: 2026
No. 21 Cobb Hightower, SS/2B, Single-A
Acquired in O’Hearn/Laureano trade with Padres
Pipeline scouting report: “He should get every chance to play shortstop for the time being, but some view him as a future bat-first second baseman, too.” More >>
Organizational fit: A 2024 third-round Draft pick, Hightower could develop into a productive big league hitter within a few years. The 20-year-old already has a good knowledge of the strike zone for his age, and his mechanics suggest he should only get better as he continues to get reps throughout the Minors.
ETA: 2028
No. 22 Wellington Aracena, RHP, Single-A
Acquired in Gregory Soto trade with Mets
Pipeline scouting report: “He still has the makings of a pitcher trying to blow his stuff past batters. Even if he has to stick in relief, the fastball/cutter combination could be stellar in the back of an MLB bullpen.” More >>
Organizational fit: The 20-year-old Aracena has already made his organizational debut, striking out six over 4 2/3 scoreless innings of one-hit ball for Single-A Delmarva at Kannapolis on Wednesday. His electric mix should keep playing well as he climbs levels.
ETA: 2028
No. 23 Wilfri De La Cruz, SS, Dominican Summer League
Acquired in Andrew Kittredge trade with Cubs
Pipeline scouting report: “Presently an average-to-solid runner, he could slow a bit as he develops physically, which would dictate a move to third base. He has the tools to be a quality defender at the hot corner and meet the offensive demands of the position.” More >>
Organizational fit: Of all the prospects acquired by the O’s at the Deadline, De La Cruz is likely the furthest away from the Majors. The 17-year-old played 27 games for the Cubs’ DSL team and has yet to play stateside ball. But the switch-hitter has a bat with a ton of upside for the future.
ETA: 2030
No. 24 Anthony Nunez, RHP, Double-A
Acquired in Cedric Mullins trade with Mets
Pipeline scouting report: “He’s likely to stick in the bullpen and is already flying up the chain in that role. Nunez is looking like a major find by Mets scouting and an early win for the group’s pitching corps, though now it will be up to the Orioles to polish him up for the big leagues.” More >>
Organizational fit: Nunez can dial up his fastball to 96 mph, but it’s his slider and changeup (both 60 grade) that make him an intriguing prospect. The 24-year-old has already pitched well in Double-A (2.10 ERA in 22 relief appearances for Binghamton), so it’s reasonable to think he could reach Triple-A before the end of the year.
ETA: 2026
Unranked prospects acquired: RHP Cameron Foster (Soto trade with Mets), RHP Twine Palmer (Ramón Urías trade with Astros), RHP Raimon Gomez (Mullins trade with Mets), RHP Chandler Marsh (Mullins trade with Mets), RHP Tyson Neighbors (O’Hearn/Laureano trade with Padres), INF/OF Victor Figueroa (O’Hearn/Laureano trade with Padres), INF Brandon Butterworth (O’Hearn/Laureano trade with Padres), RHP Tanner Smith (O’Hearn/Laureano trade with Padres), LHP Micah Ashman (Charlie Morton trade with Tigers).