Samuel Basallo and the Baltimore Orioles: A Million-Dollar Contract
Catcher Samuel Basallo and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing the details of an eight-year, $67 million contract extension. This move secures the permanence of one of baseball’s most outstanding prospects, less than a week before his debut in the Major Leagues.
Basallo, who recently turned 21, is considered the fourth-best baseball prospect, according to experts. His rise in the minor leagues has been meteoric, going from Class A-Low to Double-A at 18, and reaching Triple-A shortly after turning 20. In this last stage, he demonstrated his power with a batting average of .270, 23 home runs in 76 games before his promotion.
Signed from the Dominican Republic in 2021 for $1.3 million, Basallo is recognized as one of the best hitters in the minor leagues this season. The agreement, which will begin next season, includes a club option and could reach $88.5 million, becoming the largest pre-arbitration extension for a catcher.
Although the Orioles already have Adley Rutschman as their starting catcher, Basallo could play at first base, a position where he has played more than 100 games in the minors, and also as a designated hitter.
Basallo’s batting ability and his speed in batting position him as a player with the potential to hit 30 home runs consistently.
Basallo is the most recent addition of young talents who have been developed by Baltimore since the arrival of general manager Mike Elias in 2018.
In addition to Rutschman, shortstop Gunnar Henderson, third baseman Jordan Westburg, second baseman Jackson Holliday, and outfielder Colton Cowser stand out. Dylan Beavers debuted just before Basallo, and Coby Mayo and Heston Kjerstad remain future options. Baltimore has also made trades, including outfielder Kyle Stowers and infielder Connor Norby to Miami, as well as shortstop Joey Ortiz to Milwaukee.
