Caden Hunter pitched like a Top 100 prospect in 2026

Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect Caden Hunter climbed into MLB Pipeline's Top 100 list following a standout 2026 campaign across three minor league levels. Selected in the sixth round of the 2025 draft from USC, the 22-year-old left-hander finished the season ranked as baseball's No. 92 overall prospect after posting a 2.01 ERA and striking out 151 batters over 103 innings.

Hunter progressed rapidly through Delmarva, Frederick, and Double-A, aided by a fastball reaching up to 98 mph alongside a slider, changeup, and curveball. Writer Alex Church notes that Hunter is expected to return to Double-A in the spring with a potential path toward reaching Triple-A Norfolk and a possible major league debut as early as 2027.