Baltimore Orioles Finally Call Up Samuel Basallo

The Baltimore Orioles have finally decided to stop playing hide-and-seek with their top prospect and called up Samuel Basallo to the big leagues. The team announced Sunday that they have selected his contract from Triple-A Norfolk, making him the second top prospect to get the call in consecutive days. Dylan Beavers got his shot on Saturday, and now it’s Basallo’s turn to show Camden Yards what all the fuss has been about.

Why the Orioles Waited This Long

The Orioles didn’t wake up Sunday morning and suddenly realize Basallo was good at baseball. The kid has been ranked as Baltimore’s No. 1 prospect and sits at No. 8 on MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 list. Through 321 plate appearances this season, he has a .270/.377/.589 slash line, 17 doubles, 23 home runs, and 67 RBI across 76 games.

But here’s the kicker. Baltimore waited until after August 15 to make the call. Why? Because they’re playing the service time game. By waiting until now, both Beavers and Basallo maintain their rookie eligibility for 2026, as long as they don’t reach 130 at-bats. It is almost like the Orioles have figured out how to work the system.

What Makes This Prospect Special

The 6-foot-4 left-handed slugger from Santo Domingo has been turning heads all season, but it was his recent hot streak that probably forced Baltimore’s hand. From July 4-August 15, Basallo hit .310 with 9 doubles, 7 homers, 29 RBI, and a ridiculous 1.050 OPS in just 20 games. At that point, keeping him in Norfolk would’ve been borderline criminal.

Even Beavers, who just made his own debut Saturday, couldn’t contain his excitement about his Norfolk teammate. “It’s crazy. I’ve never seen anyone hit like that. Ever,” Beavers said. “Hopefully, we’ll see him soon. He’s really good. He belongs here.”

The Defensive Question Mark That Isn’t Really a Question Mark

Basallo’s primary position is catcher, but his defensive skills behind the plate are still considered “a work in progress.” So what did the Orioles do? They had him play more first base and designated hitter this season. The good news is that he brings what scouts love to call “a cannon of an arm” that can neutralize baserunners. Plus, he moves surprisingly well for someone his size behind the plate. When you are hitting like he is, teams will find ways to get your bat in the lineup, even if it means some creative positioning.

How This Affects the Orioles Roster

With this promotion, Baltimore now has three catchers on the roster, joining Adley Rutschman and Alex Jackson. Basallo’s left-handed power bat could fill a role similar to that of former Oriole Ryan O’Hearn, who was shipped off to San Diego at the deadline. Funny how that worked out.

The Orioles also made several other roster moves. They reinstated Colton Cowser from the 7-day concussion-injured list, optioned Daniel Johnson and Ryan Noda to Triple-A Norfolk, and transferred Zach Eflin to the 60-day injured list.

The Prospect Promotion Incentive Angle

Here is where things get interesting from a front office perspective. The Orioles could earn a prospect promotion incentive (PPI) draft pick if Basallo wins AL Rookie of the Year. With his offensive numbers and the timing of his call-up, that is not exactly a pipe dream. The same goes for Beavers, though he needs to appear on at least one more major Top 100 list by Opening Day next year to qualify.

It is almost like the Orioles have this whole thing figured out. Develop elite prospects, call them up at the right time, potentially get extra draft picks, and look like geniuses in the process. Not bad for a front office that was supposedly “rebuilding” just a few years ago.

What To Expect Moving Forward

The beauty of having someone like Basallo is roster flexibility. With Rutschman entrenched as the primary catcher, the prospect can rotate between catching, first base, and designated hitter. It is the kind of versatility that makes managers sleep better at night and gives opposing pitchers one more thing to worry about.

Jackson Holliday, who’s played with him throughout the minors, summed it up perfectly: “Basallo is a crazy talent. I got to play with him throughout the Minor Leagues as well, and I’m excited for his day to come. He can do some pretty special things.” High praise from someone who knows a thing or two about being a top prospect himself.

The Bigger Picture For Baltimore

This call-up represents more than just adding another bat to the lineup. It is a validation of the team’s international scouting efforts under Mike Elias. He will be the first major international signee to debut for Baltimore during the Elias era, after signing for $1.3 million out of the Dominican Republic in January 2021.

It is also a sign that the Orioles have a roster that will set them up well for the future. Basallo is officially an Oriole, and fans finally get to see what all the hype has been about. After watching him terrorize Triple-A pitching all season, it will be interesting to see how quickly he adapts to big league arms. Something tells me he’ll figure it out just fine.