Baltimore Orioles Breakout MLB Prospects Entering 2024
Entering 2024, we’re examining multiple Orioles prospects on the verge of a breakout season. To qualify as a breakout prospect for this exercise, a player must rank outside the Top 10 Prospects in his organization entering the year.
You can find all of our preseason prospect rankings here and a link to breakouts for all 30 teams here.
Orioles Top Prospects In 2024
We rank the top players in Baltimore’s system entering the season complete with new scouting reports, tools, grades & more.
Breakout Prospects
Dylan Beavers, OF
Preseason rank: 13
BA Grade: 50. Risk: High.
Track Record: A two-time all-Pacific-12 Conference star for California, Beavers was one of the college game’s most consistent performers entering the 2022 draft, but he fell to the 33rd overall pick due to concerns about his swing. The Orioles signed him for a slightly below-slot $2.2 million, and began a collaborative effort to iron out some of those swing issues. After a period of extensive tweaking at High-A Aberdeen, Beavers settled back in for a strong finish to the 2023 season. He ended with a .971 OPS from June 13 onward and ended with 34 games at Double-A Bowie.
Scouting Report: The lefthanded-hitting Beavers’ swing work helped him improve his timing and helped him get his swing more on a line and make higher quality contact as the season went on, but there were concerns about how solid he was hitting the ball at times. He can be an average hitter, given the unique bat-to-ball abilities for someone with his physical 6-foot-4 frame. He swung and missed just 8% of the time in 2023 and also had one of the lowest chase rates of any full-season minor league hitter in the organization. Beavers can have above-average power if he continues to optimize his swing, and is a plus runner who could be either above-average in a corner outfield spot or fringe-average in center.
The Future: Beavers has some of the highest upside in the organization, and the Orioles believe his aptitude and application can help him become an everyday outfielder. He’ll be back at Double-A Bowie to build on how he ended 2023.
Scouting Grades
Hitting: 50. Power: 55. Running: 60. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
Jackson Baumeister, RHP
Preseason rank: 14
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Very High.
Track Record: Baumeister was one of the highest-rated high school players eligible for the 2021 draft who made it to college, but he did so knowing he would be an eligible sophomore two years later. The Orioles drafted him 63rd overall out of Florida State in 2023 and signed him for an above-slot $1.605 million as the highest-drafted pitcher under Mike Elias. The Orioles appreciated his hoppy fastball and potential to further develop his arsenal, but they also valued his aptitude to make adjustments as his season went on and willingness to learn. Baumeister didn’t pitch in game action after signing.
Scouting Report: Baumeister’s fastball, which in college sat around 93 mph and touched 98, features above-averaged induced vertical break with elite extension and a flat approach angle that helps it play up in the zone. The club believes a focus on elevating it could lead to immediate improvements in results. Baumeister’s curveball had at least average traits but was inconsistent, while the Orioles believe the slider he added during 2023 has the potential to grow into his best secondary pitch. Even if his changeup remains a fourth pitch, the Orioles believe his arm strength and ability to spin the ball can give him a starter’s arsenal going forward.
The Future: Baumeister has the potential to be the best pitcher the Elias Orioles have drafted, with a midrotation upside and the chance for more if he can consistently throw his most effective breaking balls. He could move quickly through the system but likely will start at Low-A Delmarva in 2024.
Scouting Grades
Fastball: 60. Slider: 50. Curveball: 50. Changeup: 40. Control: 45.
Luis Almeyda, SS
Preseason rank: 21
BA Grade: 50. Risk: Extreme.
Track Record: Born in New Jersey, Almeyda was one of the top players in the 2025 high school class before moving to the Dominican Republic and signing for $2.3 million–a club record for an international amateur–when the 2023 period opened. He homered twice in his first six games in the Dominican Summer League but was limited to just 19 games due to a left ankle sprain, then had season-ending left shoulder surgery.
Scouting Report: Almeyda proved a quick study upon signing with the Orioles. He showed improvement in his ability to control the strike zone and with his bat-to-ball skills while demonstrating impressive top-end exit velocities. He may not be more than a fringe-average hitter, but his long limbs and developing strength give him the potential for plus power as he physically matures. He boasts smooth, controlled movements and the requisite footwork to play an above-average shortstop. His potential physical development may move him off the position to third base, where those traits and above-average arm would play. He has the power potential to support that move as well.
The Future: Almeyda’s outstanding physical gifts give him the potential to be a bat-first everyday infielder on the left side, and being in the Orioles’ system at such a young age can help that process along. He’ll likely start 2024 at the Rookie complex level but could push to Low-A Delmarva by season’s end.
Scouting Grades
Hitting: 45. Power: 60. Run: 50. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
