Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, and Jackson Holliday were all named the top prospect in baseball at one point during their amature career. While the trio put together a historic run, Baltimore nearly
added an unprecedented fourth top prospect this season.
Samuel Basallo cracked FanGraph’s Top 5 and MLB Pipeline’s Top 10, but he never quite made it to the top spot. However, Basallo achieved something that none of the former one-one picks experienced. Basallo became the first prospect to receive a long-term extension in the Mike Elias era.
Basallo made his MLB debut on August 17, 2025. Less than one week later, the Orioles inked the 21-year-old to a deal that could top out at $88.5 million. The extension served as a well-earned reward for a youngster with an extremely bright future, but it also marked the first financial commitment made to a member of Baltimore’s young core.
Basallo arrived in the organization via a different path. The Orioles signed a 16-year-0ld Basallo as an international free agent in 2021. The $1.3 million bonus represented an organizational high for a international amature, and the acquisition solidified the front office’s commitment to strengthening its presence outside of the draft.
The Orioles were going to remain committed to the international market either way, but it certainly helped that Basallo exceeded expectations from the jump. The phenom slashed .313/.402/.551 over three levels as an 18-year-old, and he reached Triple-A after being named the Eastern League Player of the Year at 19. He slashed .270/.377/.589 with 23 homers over 76 games at Norfolk last season and turned 21 less than a week before his major league debut.
Despite his rapid ascent, Basallo could have reached the bigs even sooner if he wasn’t slowed by injury. The slugger suffered elbow inflammation during spring training and began the season as a full-time designated hitter. To further complicate things, he missed three weeks with a hamstring strain.
Basallo returned and began playing first base in early May. Eventually, he proved healthy enough to get behind the plate. The lost time cost Basallo an opportunity to hone his defensive skills while wearing the tools of ignorance. It also eliminated the youngster as a potential replacement when the catching injuries spiked in Baltimore.
Basallo missed another short stretch with an oblique issue in July, but he returned less than two weeks later. He worked behind the plate, at first base, and occasionally served as the DH. Despite the setbacks, one thing became certain— The bat was MLB ready.
Once the Prospect Promotion Incentive eligibility date passed, the Orioles got Basallo to Baltimore. An injury to Rutschman, paired with Baltimore’s lack of postseason contention, made it the perfect time to get Basallo MLB reps at catcher. The 21-year-old showed off a strong arm while displaying some of the inconsistencies that everyone was prepared to see.
Basallo posted mediocre numbers in his first 109 big league at bats. He slashed .165/.229/.330 with a miniscule 56 OPS+. He tallied four homers and drove in 15 runs, but he struck out 30 times compared to six walks.
Despite the rough stats, Basallo passed the eye test. The righty showed off significant power and lightning fast hands. He racked up the first of many clutch moments with a walk-off home run against Tanner Scott, and he delivered a walk-off single against the Pirates. The former demonstrated what Basallo can do when he gets all of the ball, but the latter showed off what he can still do when he doesn’t. Basallo has the bat speed and power to still do damage even when he fails to time up a ball. That type of bat is special.
There’s no doubt that Basallo is here to stay, but his place on the field has yet to fully be determined. Mike Elias recently affirmed that Rutschman is still the team’s starting catcher, and the former top pick holds the better defensive reputation at this point. Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo will both demand time at first base if they return, and the DH spot figures to rotate between several players.
Basallo dodged significant injury last season, but the ticky tacky stuff piled up. Less time behind the plate should keep the rookie in the lineup, but his ability to get behind the plate will allow for some always-desired positional flexibility. All eyes will be on Basallo’s bat, but his place on defense will be worth watching in 2026.
Monday: Austin Overn
