In 2023, the story of minor league baseball was No. 1 overall pick Jackson Holliday’s rapid ascent through the Baltimore Orioles’ farm system. Holliday, at just 19 years old, vaulted from Single-A Delmarva all the way up to Triple-A Norfolk throughout his 125-game minor league season. A meteoric rise of that speed was unheard of, and the hype around Holliday was warranted.

On a parallel track to Holliday, there was 18-year-old Samuel Basallo. The former O’s international signing started his 2023 season in Delmarva, too, and was able to get up to Double-A Bowie before his 19th birthday.

During his age-19 season in 2024, Basallo found his footing with the Baysox, hitting .289 with an .820 on-base plus slugging percentage in 106 games. He then earned a promotion to the Norfolk Tides, finishing his season in Triple-A.

Now, Basallo has had the chance to settle into a new level, and has he ever. Since returning from injury on April 25th, the now 20-year-old has mashed to the tune of a .254 batting average and .924 OPS with five home runs and four doubles in 16 games.

Even more encouraging, too, is that Basallo is now back to catching after missing time behind the dish with hamstring and elbow injuries. He caught his first game on Tuesday and promptly went 3-for-4 with two mammoth home runs.

Is there a spot on the 2025 Orioles for Samuel Basallo?

Entering the year, there was no clear path for Basallo to make the big league team. Gary Sanchez had been signed to a one-year, $8.5 million deal to be the Orioles’ backup catcher. Plus, there was no room at designated hitter, as Heston Kjerstad and Ryan O’Hearn figured to fill that role as left-handed bats.

But now, the stars could align in just the right way. Sanchez is on the injured list, as is Colton Cowser, whose absence has bumped Kjerstad and O’Hearn into more important roles outside of just that DH spot.

There are still, however, important factors to consider. Basallo only has 42 games at the Triple-A level under his belt, and is still working back to full health. Plus, Maverick Handley, currently on the big league roster, has certainly earned that opportunity.

The Stanford product hit .346 with a .991 OPS with the Tides in 15 games this season.

With all due respect to Handley, Basallo could bring a different kind of impact with his bat. Boasting massive exit velocities from the left side of the plate, the 20-year-old could bring some life to an O’s lineup that really needs it.

And considering Baltimore’s struggles this season, now seems like as good a time as any to give it a try.