Samuel Basallo hasn’t even been in the majors for a full week, but the Baltimore Orioles already see enough to commit long-term.
The 21-year-old catcher has reportedly agreed to an eight-year, $67 million contract extension, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. The deal kicks in next season and could be worth as much as $88.5 million if incentives are reached, making it the richest pre-arbitration extension ever for a catcher.
The agreement also includes a club option, giving the Orioles flexibility as they shape their future behind the plate.
Basallo entered 2025 ranked as one of baseball’s top 15 prospects and was called up in late August. In his first taste of big-league action, he’s batting .300 over 11 plate appearances. At Triple-A this year, he put together a strong .270/.377/.589 line with 20 homers across 321 plate appearances.
What Samuel Basallo’s extension means for Adley Rutschman
The timing of the deal raises questions about the future of Adley Rutschman, once considered the face of the Orioles’ rebuild.
Rutschman was placed on the injured list this week with another oblique strain, adding to a frustrating stretch of setbacks. Over his first two big-league seasons, Rutschman was a steady producer with a .268/.369/.439 line, but injuries have dragged his numbers down to .242/.315/.385 the past two years.
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Baltimore doesn’t have to pick one catcher immediately. A split between catcher and designated hitter is possible, but if Basallo proves he can handle the role full-time, the front office may face a difficult roster call this winter.
For now, Basallo has a clear runway to show what he can do. With the Orioles out of playoff contention, the final weeks of the season will serve as his audition for the starting job in 2026.
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