International prospects are generally streaky because of the thought process of signing players while they are in high school.
Most international prospects are signed around the age of 15 or 16, which means that while they have the potential, they still need to perform at the pro level while being at such a young age. The Orioles took that chance with catcher Samuel Basallo.
Basallo was signed by the Orioles during the international signing period in 2021. When he put pen to paper, Basallo was just 16 years old and playing ball in his native Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
The thing that stood out most about Basallo was that he wasn’t highly-rated in MLB Pipeline‘s top 30 international prospects of 2021, as he didn’t even crack the top 30. That didn’t stop the O’s from giving Basallo a $1.3 million signing bonus, making him one of the first players to receive a seven-figure bonus from the Orioles.
Basallo would begin to climb the Orioles’ top 30 rankings as he continued to put together a stellar stat line in rookie ball during the 2022 season. He would post a .774 OPS in 43 games while batting .278, collecting 44 hits, five doubles, six home runs and 32 RBIs.
Basallo would start the 2023 season as the No. 12 prospect in the Orioles’ top 30, and little did we know that he would break out entirely during this season.
The young backstop played 114 games between Low-A Delmarva, High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie, slashing .313/.402/.551 with a .953 OPS. He had 131 collective hits, 26 doubles, seven triples, 20 home runs and 86 RBIs and would also walk 61 times and steal 12 bases. His impressive campaign is how Basallo put himself on the map as a top 100 prospect in baseball.
Basallo would enter the 2024 season not only as the No. 2 prospect in the Orioles’ system but also as the No. 17 prospect in the top 100. Despite the injuries that came from his arm in spring training, Basallo has continued to show his true potential this season. The now-19-year-old is currently slashing .262/.299/.414 with a .713 OPS and has tallied 38 hits, four doubles, six home runs and 16 RBIs for the Bowie Baysox.
Once he is fully healed from his arm injury, Basallo has the cannon needed to be that great catcher. However, he is currently blocked by All-Star catcher Adley Rutschman. But Basallo has been playing some first base with the Baysox and can also fill the designated hitter role in the future.
This kid is the real deal, with most pundits expecting him to debut sometime during the 2025 season, despite having Rutschman. Keep an eye on him and see for yourself how good this kid is.
What are your thoughts on the O’s No. 2 prospect, Samuel Basallo?
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