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It’s not entirely clear how new Orioles manager Craig Albernaz plans to deploy his outfield in 2026. The roster is full of intriguing—but flawed—options. And while spring training statistics should never be taken too seriously, the early outcomes from a few names in the mix are worth taking into account.
At the moment, it seems like there are four outfielders that, if healthy, are locks to make the Orioles’ Opening Day roster: Colton Cowser, Taylor Ward, Tyler O’Neill, and Dylan Beavers.
Cowser is expected to be the starting center fielder most days. Ward is going to be the left fielder. O’Neill and Beavers could have a platoon of sorts in right, but both can shuffle over to left as needed. O’Neill will probably see time at DH too, and Beavers has minor league experience in center.
There’s oodles of pressure on the 25-year-old Cowser, who battled a number of injuries in 2025 and posted some ugly offensive numbers (.196/.269/.385, 83 wRC+) when in the lineup. The Orioles did not seem to earnestly pursue center field upgrades this winter, leaving the job to Cowser. Defensively, that feels fine. The former fifth overall pick has one of the strongest throwing arms in the game, and has always shown impressive range. He will be fine in the field. Bigger questions linger around his offensive upside, which he has shown in spurts, but needs to find some consistency.
Ward is expected to be a stabilizing force. The 32-year-old has hit at least 25 home runs and played in at least 156 games in each of the last two seasons. He will be a free agent at year’s end, so you know he will be putting his best foot forward.
O’Neill and Beavers are the variables. O’Neill was limited to 54 games last year due to several ailments. The Orioles built in more redundancies to this year’s roster, partly due to the veteran’s lack of availability. Beavers is entering his first full season of big league ball. Growing pains are an expected part of the process. Using the two as an informal platoon could serve to protect the pair and put them in position to succeed.
The early returns for O’Neill this spring have been particularly impressive. He is 7-for-11 with a double, a home run, two walks, and zero strikeouts in Grapefruit League play. That’s a 1.692 OPS. If he can keep that up, Albernaz is never going to take him out of the lineup.
Ward has looked comfortable as well, going 3-for-11 with two doubles, four walks, and four strikeouts. Meanwhile, Beavers and Cowser are still warming up. Beavers has three hits but has also struck out six times without a walk. Cowser has gone 2-for-13 with four strikeouts and a walk.
This main quartet are not the only ones vying for time in the Orioles outfield in the season ahead. There are several other names that are expected to get involved.
The Orioles signed Leody Tavares to a one-year deal worth $2 million back in early November. The expectation back then is the same as it is now. Tavares gives the Orioles positional versatility coming off the bench. He is a more natural fit as a fourth outfielder/back-up center fielder than Beavers. But he also has far less offensive upside.
Blaze Alexander is a big part of the Orioles’ plans. They didn’t give up three players for someone that’s going to ride the Norfolk shuttle. Right now, given the injuries to Jordan Westburg and Jackson Holliday, Alexander seems like the everyday second baseman to begin the year. But he is working with O’s outfield coach Jason Bourgeois, and made a few cameos in the Diamondbacks outfield last summer.
By far the most interesting player in all of this is Heston Kjerstad. Drafted second overall in 2020, the now-27-year-old has had a tough path as a professional. Myocarditis delayed his minor league debut until 2022. Despite that, he rocketed up the O’s minor league system, getting to the big leagues in late 2023. Then in 2024 he dealt with recurring concussion symptoms, stemming from being hit in the head by a pitch in mid July. And throughout 2025 he dealt with mysterious “fatigue” issues that the club claims are now all cleared up.
Kjerstad entered the spring looking like the odd man out. For a team hoping to win now, there is limited patience for an unlikely break out. But he does still have one minor league option remaining and the pedigree of a former top prospect. At least for 2026, there was no reason to cast him away for nothing.
Through five spring games, Kjerstad is showing why he is worthy of consideration. He is 6-for-14 with a double, a home run, two RBI, one walk, and one strikeout. On top of that, many of the beat reporters have indicated that Kjerstad has looked as good as anyone in live batting practice.
All of these are good signs. And it’s not as if Kjerstad has routinely been a spring hero only to disappoint once the real games start. He had a .672 OPS in the Grapefruit League last year, and was down to .580 the year before that. The last time he looked this good down in Florida was back in 2023, when he slashed .381/.409/.810 over 23 games. But that was before he had even debuted in the majors, so the distribution of playing time was a bit wonky. Perhaps he truly has turned a corner.
Beyond the four “locks” mentioned at the top of this piece, it seems probable that the Orioles carry one more dedicated outfielder. If they want a bonafide center fielder that can also pinch run, that person will be Tavares. If they want left-handed pop off the bench, it would be Kjerstad. Obviously, any injuries to the core quartet would change the roster math and could see both players head north with the team.
The other leg up that Tavares has on Kjerstad is that lack of an option. The Orioles risk losing him entirely if he’s not on the Opening Day roster. Kjerstad, on the other hand, can be sent to Norfolk with no issue. And given how we know Mike Elias has been padding the depth of the higher levels this winter, that seems like the most probably approach.
It would keep Kjerstad around, ready to pounce when O’Neill inevitably heads to the IL, or if Beavers goes into a slump. And it could still set him up for a long-term role in Baltimore. Remember, Ward is only here for a season. O’Neill could be gone after ‘26 as well if the falters again. DH at-bats could come available if Ryan Mountcastle is dealt. There are lanes for Kjerstad to get himself cemented in Baltimore long term. But he has to stay healthy and start producing in order for that to happen.
A year ago, the Orioles outfield was a disaster. They finished 25th in baseball with a 2.6 fWAR total. None of their players stayed healthy enough or stayed on the team long enough to qualify for any year-end awards, not that they would have won anything anyway. Injuries plagued the group, and far too often they were trotting out Quad-A talents.
The expectation is that 2026 will be a major improvement. There is plenty of upside, and the front office added depth to prevent the steep decline they experienced a year ago. It’s unlikely that this group will now be mistaken for one of the best in baseball, but they should be competent, setting the table for their star-laden infield to (hopefully) make the offense a juggernaut overall.