O’s Top Prospect Making a Splash in Spring Training

For the last few years, the Baltimore Orioles have been a breeding ground for high-level prospects. With three former number one overall prospects on their roster, those being Adley Rutchsman, Gunnar Henderson, and Jackson Holliday, the Orioles farm system has been among the best in the league. Within the Orioles farm system, there are talented prospects in every direction. However, none may have a brighter future than current Orioles top prospect, Samuel Basallo.  

Samuel Basallo is considered to be one of the best prospects in baseball. The 20-year-old number one ranked catching prospect in the MLB has been making the most out of his spring so far. In 10 games played, Basallo is batting .300 with two RBIs. Basallo’s most impressive feat came on February 28th in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, when he launched a ball over the center field scoreboard. The home run was said to travel just under 500 feet. 

For three straight years, the Baltimore Orioles held claim to being the number one farm system in baseball. The Orioles have built their team through high-quality prospects, and with these prospects getting called up, the club has been winning more and more ball games. Winning more games results in drafting lower and, typically, a weaker farm system. Even though the Orioles farm system is weaker than years past, having the number one ranked MLB catching prospect in Samuel Basallo is nothing to scoff at.

Basallo is expected to make his MLB debut at some time during the 2025 regular season. In 2024, the 20-year-old catcher had an excellent season, with the majority of it being in Double-A. After posting a .289/.355/.465 slash line with 16 home runs, Basallo was called up to Triple-A at the end of the 2024 season. Norfolk is where Basallo will most likely spend the majority of the 2025 MLB season, with aspirations of being called up later into the season. The Orioles already have their star catcher in Adley Rutschman, but Samuel Basallo does play first base as well. Basallo is a young and exciting prospect who has showcased his skills this Spring and will look to expand on them during his 2025 campaign.