HOUSTON -- When Triple-A Norfolk manager Tim Federowicz invited Samuel Basallo to breakfast on Saturday morning, the Orioles’ top prospect didn’t think anything of it. The two cultivated a strong relationship this year, so it wasn’t abnormal to get together.
Then, they got Basallo’s father, Jairo Fernando Basallo, on the phone. And as the 21-year-old listened to his dad talk, he began to realize what was happening.
Basallo was being informed he was getting called up to the big leagues.
“There’s no better feeling than getting that phone call from your family,” Basallo said via O’s team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “My dad is very special to me. He means a lot to me. To get that phone call from him and from my family, it means everything.”
Baltimore selected the contract of MLB Pipeline’s No. 8 overall prospect on Sunday morning and immediately inserted his potent bat into the lineup. Basallo made his MLB debut during the Orioles' 12-0 win over the Astros at Daikin Park, batting sixth as the designated hitter and going 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a hit-by-pitch in his first MLB plate appearance.
“Truly, when I went out there, I was just really, really happy to be there, I think. It was an incredibly special feeling,” Basallo said afterward. “I’m not going to say I wasn’t nervous, but it really just was a special feeling. And when I finally stepped into the batter’s box, I think it all hit me and I felt really happy.”
It was the culmination of quite an eventful weekend for the Orioles. Rookie right-hander Brandon Young came within four outs of a perfect game on Friday, outfielder Dylan Beavers (O’s No. 3 prospect) was called up for his debut on Saturday and then Basallo arrived to wrap it up on Sunday.
A catcher/first baseman out of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Basallo has been among the most exciting players in Baltimore’s farm system in recent years. He has quickly climbed the Minor League ranks, putting himself in prime position for this promotion.
“He’s played well. Similar to Beavers, here’s a guy that earned a promotion to the big leagues,” interim manager Tony Mansolino said. “Both these guys [Basallo and Beavers] have earned their way here. They’ve had really good years. They’ve checked the boxes.”
The left-handed-hitting Basallo’s bat is his calling card. The youngster has slashed .270/.377/.589 with 17 doubles, 23 home runs and 67 RBIs in 76 games for Triple-A Norfolk this season. The 6-foot-4 slugger hit .310 (26-for-84) with nine doubles, seven homers, 29 RBIs and a 1.050 OPS in 20 games from July 4-Aug. 15.
Beavers, who was roommates with Basallo in Norfolk this year, had a different tone in his voice when talking about the offensive excellence he saw from his Triple-A teammate.
“It’s crazy. I don’t know if I’ve seen anyone hit like that ever. He’s really good at hitting. What you see is what I see,” Beavers said. “He’s really good, so he belongs here.”
As the hype and anticipation started to build around Basallo -- especially in recent weeks -- he has tried not to think about his eventual callup to the big leagues, doing his best to remain levelheaded.
“I’ve tried to continue being the same person, focusing on what’s going on in the moment, continuing to work hard,” Basallo said. “Not trying to do too much.”
The Orioles have been patient in calling up Basallo, not only because of their focus on his development, but also to get him more reps at catcher. A pair of injuries earlier this year (right elbow inflammation and a left hamstring strain) prevented him from catching until May 13.
Basallo has since gotten 33 starts behind the plate, boosting his Triple-A career total to 43.
“I feel like my defense has gotten a lot better, I feel like I’ve been able to progress a lot, advance a lot,” Basallo said. “I think the organization feels the same way, and I think that’s why I’m here right now.”
Expect to see Basallo rotating between catcher, DH and first base. He is slated to make his fielding debut behind the plate Monday night in Boston, but he likely won’t play first until the upcoming homestand that begins Thursday.
Adley Rutschman will continue to be the No. 1 catcher, with Basallo as the No. 2. The O’s also still have Alex Jackson on the roster as a third backstop, a luxury afforded to them because they don’t plan on pinch-hitting for many players in their lineup as they’re more focused on long-term development due to their position in the standings (56-67 entering Sunday).
Coby Mayo will start a lot at first, with Basallo mixed into a rotation there and at DH that also includes Ryan Mountcastle.
One of general manager Mike Elias’ biggest goals upon being hired as the Orioles’ general manager in November 2018 was to build a greater presence in the international market. The club had not been much of a factor in that regard in the years prior.
Basallo is the first major international signee to debut for Baltimore during the Elias era. He signed for $1.3 million out of the D.R. in January 2021.
“It’s a big deal for the organization,” Mansolino said. “You think about the lack thereof with our Latin America program when Mike took this thing over, what him and [vice president of international scouting and operations] Koby Perez have built, and Sammy Basallo’s kind of, right now, the pinnacle of that for us.
“To get him here and to be regarded the way he is throughout the industry and then also internally, here he comes, he’s about to impact the Major League club.”