The Orioles have a few gaps to fill as they look to bolster their roster, and one of the most intriguing roles is that of Adley Rutschman’s backup behind the plate. While the team is on the hunt for a top-of-the-rotation starter and a middle-of-the-order right-handed bat, the search for a reliable backup catcher presents its own unique set of challenges.
For the last two seasons, James McCann has been the trusted backup for Rutschman. Although McCann could return in 2025, the 34-year-old seeks more stability than a one-year contract might offer. Besides McCann, the Orioles have two other catchers on their 40-man roster: Blake Hunt, who joined from a trade with Seattle, and René Pinto, acquired off waivers from Tampa Bay.
Rutschman’s heavy workload over the past seasons, with 104 and 99 starts as a catcher in 2023 and 2024 respectively, reflects his importance to the team. In contrast, McCann contributed significantly with 54 and 63 starts.
If Rutschman hits his stride again, he might take on even more, leaving only about two starts per week for his backup. This scenario might suit McCann but could be less appealing to other catchers like Kyle Higashioka or Danny Jansen, who have significant starting experience elsewhere.
Hunt is still waiting for his major league debut, and Pinto, with 82 games under his belt for the Rays, faced challenges as base runners successfully stole 50 of 55 bases against him. The Orioles likely desire a catcher with a better caught-stealing percentage to complement Rutschman’s work.
Notable backstops like Travis d’Arnaud, Austin Hedges, and Jacob Stallings are already off the market, and while 12 catching free agents, including McCann, are available, the Orioles appear cautious. Part of this caution stems from the promise of Samuel Basallo, ranked as the No. 13 prospect by MLB Pipeline. Basallo, 20, showcased his skills at Triple-A Norfolk, but with just 21 games and a .222 average, he might need more time to mature into a major league role.
Basallo’s defensive stats reveal room for growth; while he excelled at Double-A Bowie with a 27% throw-out rate, he faced struggles at Triple-A. His development trajectory suggests he could require the majority of the 2025 season before he’s ready for the big leagues.
Free-agent Gary Sánchez is an option but is recognized more for his power than his defensive prowess, having played with five teams since 2021. Other seasoned catchers in the mix include Carson Kelly, Yasmani Grandal, and Elías Díaz, each bringing varied experience but at stages in their careers where the Orioles might hesitate to commit long-term.
In recent years, the Orioles have benefited from the mentorship of veterans like McCann and Robinson Chirinos, with Chirinos recently named as the Orioles’ bench coach. Another potential talent in the pipeline is Creed Willems, their eighth-round pick in 2021.
His performance in the Arizona Fall League, hitting .338 with two homers and 11 RBIs, highlights his potential. He spent some time at Double-A Bowie in 2024 and could continue his ascent with a strong showing during spring training.
The Orioles are clearly in a strategic position, carefully considering how best to mix experience with potential as they structure the catching corps behind their star, Adley Rutschman.
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