The time has finally come.
The Baltimore Oriole’s No. 1 and MLB Pipeline’s No. 8 overall prospect, Samuel Basallo, is being called up to the big league club, according to multiple industry sources. His first appearance will be his major league debut, and he will wear number 29.
Basallo earns this promotion sporting a slash line of .270/.377/.589 with a .966 OPS. The 21-year-old catcher is sporting a weighted runs created plus (wRC+), a statistic used to evaluate a hitter’s offensive production, taking into account factors like league and park effects, of 151, with 100 being average.
There are no questions if Basallo and his bat are ready for the major league level. We saw him absolutely surprise everyone during spring training when he showcased his monstrous power as well as mature approach at the plate.
If you have been following Basallo, you know that competition doesn’t shake him. He was the youngest player at the Triple-A level, and he has yet to face a minor league pitcher who is younger than him.
With all of this, he has still accumulated a career .283 average and .864 OPS in his minor league career. As a catcher at just 21 years old, that is impressive.
The one question about Basallo’s play, which will certainly come into play in this situation, is his defense behind the plate.
This is not a matter of whether he is good enough. We know he is beyond qualified. However, he has only caught 33 games this year.
When Basallo is behind the plate, he is electric. This season, in 285 innings caught, has collected 11 assists with only five errors to his name. He also has a cannon of an arm behind home plate.
Sunday marks consecutive big league debut days for the Orioles, as fellow top prospect Dylan Beavers made his debut on Saturday, collecting his first hit in the extra-inning loss against the Houston Astros.
With Basallo’s promotion to the big leagues, the Orioles have also reinstated outfielder Colton Cowser from the seven-day concussion injured list.
The team optioned both outfielder Daniel Johnson and utility man Ryan Noda to Triple-A Norfolk as well. Right-hander Zach Eflin was also transferred on the 60-day IL with lower back discomfort, with his season officially ending.
Welcome to the big leagues, Samuel Basallo!
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