3 days agoBaltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo went 2-for-4 with a home run during their victory over the Charlotte Knights on Thursday evening. Basallo hit a two-run shot in the sixth frame, which also scored outfielder
Dylan Beavers. This was Basallo's second long ball of the Triple-A regular season and first multi-hit outing of the campaign. Through his first six games of the season, Basallo has held a modest .211/.286/.526 slash line with a 2:4 BB:K. The backstop has been exclusively deployed as a designated hitter as he works his way back from elbow inflammation. While he has not been as productive early on, this two-hit performance could spark a turnaround. Last summer, Basallo held a .276/.339/.447 line split between Double-A and Triple-A. The 20-year-old is considered one of the top prospects in the sport and should be in the mix for a second-half MLB debut.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MiLB.com
2 weeks agoBaltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo (elbow) is dealing with elbow inflammation and is expected to only serve as a designated hitter during the first weeks of the season at Triple-A. Basallo is considered one of the best-hitting prospects in the sport. During spring training, the 20-year-old went deep twice and held a .226/.284/.484 slash line. Last season, Basallo opened the season by receiving his first full look at Double-A. Across 106 contests, the backstop posted an impressive .289/.355/.465 slash line with 22 doubles and 16 home runs. He was then promoted to Triple-A Norfolk, where he held a lower .222/.267/.370 line across 21 contests. Basallo went deep three times during this stint but held a poor 5:27 BB:K. Fantasy managers should continue to monitor his progression at Triple-A as he should contend for an MLB debut later this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: Jacob Calvin Meyer
1 month agoBaltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo has gone 3-for-10 with a home run and two RBI during his first taste of spring training. He has tallied two RBI and only struck out three times. Basallo is considered not only the top prospect in the Baltimore system but also one of the best in baseball. Last season, he received his first full look at Double-A and posted an excellent .289/.355/.465 slash line with 22 doubles and 16 home runs. He held a 41:85 BB:K ratio and swiped nine bags. This performance earned him a taste of Triple-A where he took a step back as he held a .222/.267/.370 line across 22 contests. At Norfolk, he held a 5:27 BB:K ratio with just three long balls. However, given his progression at spring training, he could be poised to bounce-back at Triple-A in 2025. If he can perform well at this level early in the season, he should push for his MLB debut later this summer.
--Andy Smith - RotoBallerSource: MLB.com
1 month agoBaltimore Orioles catching prospect
Samuel Basallo hit his first home run of the spring on Thursday in an 11-8 Grapefruit League win over the Blue Jays. The solo blast was a crushed, clearing the scoreboard in center field. He's now 2-for-4 in three spring appearances, but perhaps more notable was that he came off the bench and entered the game defensively at first base, not at catcher.
Adley Rutschman is entrenched as Baltimore's starting catcher and the team signed veteran
Gary Sanchez in the offseason as the backup, so Basallo's path to playing time is blocked there for now, but his ability to play first base gives the Orioles added lineup flexibility which could get him to the majors sooner rather than later. With a strong spring, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Orioles' top prospect (MLB No. 13) in the majors in 2025, although barring an injury, it won't be an early season call-up. As such, there's no reason to target the left-handed hitter in fantasy drafts unless you're in a deep league with bench space to stash the Dominican.
--Jarod Rupp - RotoBallerSource: ESPN
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