Vanessa: Imagine holding a roster card with twenty-two names on it, knowing that by April, only twenty-five of them will wear the orange and black. It’s not just about talent; it’s about who fits the puzzle pieces GM Jared Banner is trying to assemble after a 79-82 season.
Nick: Right. We’ve talked all week about the bullpen surplus and the need for starting pitching. But now we have to look at the position players. With Pete Alonso gone, the infield dynamic shifts completely. It’s no longer about replacing one slugger; it’s about reshaping the entire defensive structure.
Vanessa: Welcome back to the Beatline Podcast Network, the daily home of Baltimore Orioles coverage. I’m Vanessa, and I’m joined by Nick. Today is our Roster Battles episode. We’re going to break down the three most critical positional competitions heading into 2027 spring training.
Nick: We’re looking at third base, where Coby Mayo, Christian Encarnacion-Strand, and Blaze Alexander are fighting for spots. Then we’ll tackle the outfield depth chart with Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, and some surprise candidates. Finally, we’ll predict who gets sent down to Norfolk and who stays in Baltimore.
Vanessa: If you missed our earlier episodes on GM Jared Banner’s strategy to trade arms for starters, go back and listen. We predicted an 85-to-95 win total if they get those acquisitions right. But today, we focus on what’s already here. Let’s dive into Segment One: The Third Base Battle.
Vanessa: Nick, let’s start with the hot corner. In previous years, this was settled. But this offseason changed everything. You have Coby Mayo, who has shown flashes of elite power but struggled with consistency. Then there’s Christian Encarnacion-Strand, who brings experience from the majors.
Nick: And don’t forget Blaze Alexander. He’s raw, he’s young, but his tools are undeniable. The question isn’t just who hits best; it’s who can handle the platoon splits against left-handed pitching. Mayo has had issues with command, which affects his plate discipline. If he doesn’t improve his OBP, he might be pushed to DH or moved elsewhere.
Vanessa: Encarnacion-Strand feels like the safe bet, though. He knows the system. He’s been around. But does he have the upside? Or is he more of a veteran presence?
Nick: He’s the floor raiser. But in the AL East, you need ceiling. I think Mayo wins the job if he shows up healthy and focused on contact over power. The organization loves him, but love doesn’t stop strikeouts. They need to see better pitch selection.
Vanessa: So Mayo starts, Encarnacion-Strand provides insurance, and Alexander is likely the fourth option unless he shocks everyone. That leaves a lot of room for adjustment. What about the catcher situation? Samuel Basallo and Carlos Narvaez seem locked in, but Yohel Pozo is lurking.
Nick: Pozo is interesting. His defensive metrics are solid, but his bat hasn’t translated yet. If the team trades for a starter using bullpen arms, they might keep a versatile backup catcher. I’d bet on Basallo being the primary guy behind the plate, with Narvaez shifting to first base or DH as needed.
Vanessa: Makes sense. The defense needs to be agile. Moving to second base, Jackson Holliday is your anchor. But Jeremiah Jackson is also on the roster. Is there a real battle there, or is it just Holliday?
Nick: It’s basically Holliday. Jeremiah Jackson is more of a utility piece. He can play multiple positions, but he’s not beating out Holliday for everyday duties. Holliday’s speed and range are too valuable for the lineup construction. Unless Holliday gets injured, it’s his job.
Vanessa: Alright, so third base is the main fight. Holliday is set. Catchers are mostly decided. Let’s move to Segment Two: The Outfield Shuffle. This is where it gets messy.
Vanessa: You have Colton Cowser in center field. He’s established. But then you have Heston Kjerstad in left, and Rece Hinds in right. Plus, there’s Dylan Beavers, Christian Franklin, Leody Taveras, and even Luis Robert Jr. listed on the roster. Wait, did you see that? Luis Robert Jr. is on the Orioles roster?
Nick: Yes, the data confirms it. That changes the entire landscape. If Luis Robert Jr. is actually with the team, he’s the clear everyday center fielder. Cowser moves to right or left. That opens up a huge hole in the middle infield or bench role. This is a massive shift from last year.
Vanessa: I almost dropped my coffee. Okay, let’s assume Robert Jr. is there. He’s the star. So Cowser slides over. Kjerstad holds down left. That leaves Rece Hinds and maybe someone else for right field. But wait, Heston Kjerstad has been hitting well in the minors. Does he stick in left?
Nick: Kjerstad’s launch angle is perfect for left field. He pulls the ball hard. Against right-handed pitching, he’s a nightmare. But against lefties, he struggles. That’s why you need a platoon partner. If Robert Jr. is in center, Kjerstad is your everyday left fielder unless the opponent throws a nasty lefty.
Vanessa: What about Dylan Beavers? He’s a fast kid. Does he compete for time in center if Robert Jr. sits? Or is he strictly a bench speed option?
Nick: Beavers is a bench player. He’s not starting unless Robert Jr. is injured. His value is in stolen bases and late-inning defense. But if you’re looking at the full roster, Christian Franklin and Leody Taveras are also in the mix. Taveras has experience, but Franklin has that youth movement energy.
Vanessa: This is getting crowded. So, Robert Jr. in center, Cowser in right, Kjerstad in left. That’s a strong trio. But who’s the fourth outfielder? And how does this affect the rest of the roster? Especially with the bullpen trades we discussed.
Nick: The fourth outfielder is probably Dylan Beavers or Christian Franklin. They’re cheap, they’re fast, and they provide versatility. If the team trades bullpen arms for starters, they might cut a bench bat to make room. Beavers is the most likely to go if they need a pure pitcher spot.
Vanessa: That makes sense. Speed on the basepaths is crucial in the AL East. You need guys who can score from first. Okay, let’s talk about the pitching staff. We know GM Jared Banner wants to build a winner. But with Chris Bassitt and Shane Baz leading the rotation, who else is there?
Nick: Trey Gibson, Cade Povich, Trevor Rogers, Brandon Young, and Yosver Zulueta. That’s a deep group. Zulueta is intriguing because he’s still developing. If he cracks the top five, that’s a bonus. Otherwise, it’s Gibson and Povich battling for the fifth starter spot. Rogers is more of a long reliever or swingman at this point.
Vanessa: And the bullpen? Felix Bautista is still your closer. But Yennier Cano, Andrew Kittredge, and Grant Wolfram are all there. With the trades, do they keep all these arms? It seems like a lot of high-leverage pitchers.
Nick: They do. That’s the surplus. Bautista, Cano, Kittredge, Wolfram, Cam Sanders, Albert Suarez, Anthony Nunez, Josh Walker, Alex Hoppe, Rico Garcia, Cameron Foster, Yaramil Hiraldo, Luis De Leon, and Codi Heuer. That’s fourteen relievers. They can’t all make the team. Some will be traded, some will be sent to Triple-A.
Vanessa: Fourteen relievers! That’s insane. No wonder Banner is looking to trade. But who stays? Bautista is obviously set. Who’s the setup man?
Nick: Yennier Cano is the likely setup guy. He’s reliable. Kittredge and Wolfram are veterans who can bridge the gap. The others are depth. If they trade for starters, they might move a couple of these guys. It’s a classic case of having too much of a good thing, but needing to balance the books.
Vanessa: Okay, so we’ve got the infield, outfield, and pitching covered. Now, let’s get into the final segment. Who makes the final 25-man roster, and who gets sent packing? This is where the rubber meets the road.
Vanessa: Before we wrap up, I want to take a quick moment. This show is free, but it takes a lot of work—daily research, editing, keeping the feed running. A small contribution helps us keep bringing you these deep dives. Check out the link in the episode description if you want to grab a coffee and support the team. It really helps.
Nick: Exactly. Your support keeps this independent voice alive. Thanks for listening. Now, back to the predictions. Who’s making the cut?
Vanessa: For the final roster, I think Coby Mayo starts at third. Christian Encarnacion-Strand is the backup. Jackson Holliday at second. Gunnar Henderson at short. Samuel Basallo catching. Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, and Luis Robert Jr. in the outfield. Pete Alonso is gone, so Dylan Beavers fills the utility spot.
Nick: I agree on most of it. I’d add Yennier Cano and Felix Bautista to the bullpen. Trey Gibson starts in the rotation. And I think Rece Hinds makes the team over Christian Franklin due to his power potential. Franklin is too risky right now.
Vanessa: Great debate. If you enjoyed this breakdown, please subscribe, rate, and review us. Share it with your fellow Orioles fans. We’ll be back tomorrow with more updates on GM Jared Banner’s moves. Until then, hang tight.
Nick: Go Birds.