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Orioles Could Be Moving on From Adley Rutschman After Recent Reports
David Butler II-Imagn Images

Adley Rutschman has been one of the Baltimore Orioles' best players since making his MLB debut in 2022.

After getting drafted with the first overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Rutschman climbed the Orioles' pipeline in just two years to become the team's everyday catcher for the past four seasons.

The switch-hitting catcher's 13 home runs and 42 RBI in 113 games in 2022 helped Rutschman finish second in the AL Rookie of the Year award that year, losing it to the Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez. He was a back-to-back All-Star in 2023 and 2024.

This season has been rough for both Rutschman and the Orioles, as he hasn't made an appearance in the lineup since June 19 and was placed on the team's injured list on June 21 due to an oblique strain and Baltimore currently sits in last place in the AL East with a 44-54 record.

As the former All-Star begins a rehab assignment sometime this week, it's been reported that his name has been floating around in trade talks with the MLB trade deadline coming up at the end of July.

After the Orioles selected two separate players who can play the catcher position in Auburn's Ike Irish with the No. 19 pick and Coastal Carolina's Caden Bodine with the No. 30 pick, Baltimore has made moves that could be teasing Adley Rutschman's departure from the team.

The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal broke down the situation, and it's worth to note that the Orioles top prospect, Samuel Basallo, also plays catcher.

"Rutschman’s long-term future in Baltimore is not as certain as it once appeared. He is under club control for only two more seasons. The Orioles’ interest in signing him to an extension might be waning. Their top prospect, Samuel Basallo, is also a catcher," Rosenthal said in an article on Monday.

With Adley Rutschman struggling as of late, having career lows in batting average (.227), slugging percentage (.372), and OPS (.691) in 68 games this season, he could be on the verge of being sent out of Baltimore.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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