Spring training is filled with traditions: pitchers and catchers arrive first, followed by position players, then games begin, and eventually, rosters start to shrink.
The Baltimore Orioles took a step in that direction on Sunday, as reported by MLB.com, by trimming their Major League camp roster to 58 players. By Opening Day, that number must be reduced to 26.
Among the notable moves, top outfield prospects Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Dylan Beavers were reassigned to minor league spring training. Joining them were pitcher Justin Armbruester, outfielder Jud Fabian, pitcher Jakob Hernandez, pitcher Yaramil Hiraldo, infielder Jeremiah Jackson, pitcher Robinson Martínez, pitcher Carlos Tavera, and pitcher Nathan Webb. Additionally, pitcher Colin Selby was optioned.
It’s common for teams to begin sending young prospects to minor league camp in early March. Both Bradfield and Beavers were non-roster invitees with little chance of making the big-league squad, and this reassignment allows them to get more playing time and development. However, they could still appear in Major League spring training games before camp ends.
Bradfield, 23, was Baltimore’s first-round pick in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Vanderbilt. Known for his speed, he quickly advanced through the minors, reaching Double-A last season, where he posted a .272/.358/.371 slash line with four home runs and 35 RBI. His progress is noteworthy as current Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins enters his final year of team control before free agency.
Mullins, an All-Star and Silver Slugger winner in 2021, remains a key player, but with Baltimore allowing right fielder Anthony Santander to leave in free agency, the team may lean toward a younger option with more long-term control.
Beavers, the Orioles’ Competitive Balance Round A pick (33rd overall) in the 2022 MLB Draft out of California, has shown steady progress in the minors. He finished last season at Triple-A Norfolk, slashing .242/.342/.408 with 15 home runs and 54 RBI. He is expected to start 2024 in Norfolk, but if he has a strong early season—similar to Heston Kjerstad last year—he could earn a Major League call-up.