Orioles promote Samuel Basallo

One day after the Orioles selected outfielder Dylan Beavers’ contract from Triple-A Norfolk, introducing one of the organization’s top prospects to the majors, they did the same with catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo.

The top guy is here.

Basallo wasn’t in Norfolk’s lineup last night and he joined the team in Houston for this afternoon’s series finale. MLB Pipeline ranked Basallo eighth in its Top 100 and Baseball America has him seventh.

Basallo, who just turned 21, is batting .270/.377/.589 with 17 doubles, 23 home runs and 67 RBIs in 76 games. The contact is loud and violent. He sends baseballs sailing over scoreboards and stands.

“He’s grown a lot this year,” Norfolk manager Tim Federowicz said yesterday. “Obviously, he has a ton of power. He’s hitting the ball hard. Not sure on the timetable on that (promotion), but I’m sure it’s gonna happen at some point.”

That point arrived this morning.

Waiting until today maintains Basallo's rookie eligibility for 2026 as long as he doesn't reach 130 at-bats. The Orioles can earn a draft pick if he wins the American League's Rookie of the Year award. 

The Orioles signed Basallo out of the Dominican Republic for $1.3 million in 2021, their largest bonus internationally at that time. He's earned every penny. 

“It’s crazy,” Beavers told the media yesterday. “I’ve never seen anyone hit like that. Ever.

 “Hopefully see him soon. He’s really good. He belongs here.”

Basallo is a third catcher on the roster with Adley Rutschman and Alex Jackson, and he’s a left-handed bat for first base and the designated hitter role with Ryan O’Hearn traded to the Padres.

The Orioles assigned Basallo No. 29. He could be in today’s lineup against Astros right-hander Cristian Javier.

Left-handed hitting first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda and outfielder Daniel Johnson were optioned to Norfolk after last night’s 12-inning loss. Colton Cowser was reinstated from the seven-day concussion IL.

Pitcher Zach Eflin, who will undergo back surgery on Monday, was transferred to the 60-day injured list to make room on the 40-man roster.

The active roster now holds the system’s No. 1 and No. 3 prospects. Catcher/outfielder Ike Irish, the first pick in last month’s draft, is No. 2.