Orioles Reveal ‘Plan in Place’ for Samuel Basallo Promotion But Stay Patient With Top Catching Prospect’s MLB Debut Timeline

The Baltimore Orioles are in the midst of a thrilling 2025 campaign, riding high on a wave of young talent and veteran leadership. But while the team continues to compete for American League dominance, eyes are increasingly turning toward one of their most intriguing prospects—Samuel Basallo. As fans grow restless with anticipation for his MLB debut, the Orioles have made one thing clear: there’s a plan in place, and they’re sticking to it.

Basallo, a 19-year-old catching phenom, has been torching minor league pitching across multiple levels this season. With a mature approach at the plate, impressive pop, and improving defensive skills, he has firmly entrenched himself among the top prospects in baseball. Ranked as the Orioles’ No. 2 overall prospect behind only Jackson Holliday—and a consensus Top 20 prospect across MLB—Basallo is drawing constant buzz.

But despite his gaudy numbers, the Orioles continue to exercise patience.

“There’s a Plan in Place”

Orioles general manager Mike Elias recently addressed the growing chatter around Basallo’s timeline in a press conference following the team’s series against the Rockies. When asked directly if Basallo’s promotion was imminent, Elias said, “We have a plan in place for Samuel’s development. He’s progressing wonderfully, but we’re being deliberate. He’s incredibly young for his level, and there are still areas we want him to refine.”

This “plan” has become something of a mantra in Baltimore’s front office. Elias and his team have built one of the most respected farm systems in baseball and have shown they’re not afraid to let prospects marinate—even when public pressure mounts.

“We’re not going to bring someone up just because fans are excited,” Elias added. “Samuel’s going to be a huge part of our future. We want to make sure the timing is right for both him and the organization.”

Crushing the Minors

Basallo’s performance, however, is making it increasingly difficult to keep him in the minors.

Through late July, the left-handed slugger is slashing .301/.385/.530 with 18 home runs and 65 RBIs across Double-A Bowie and a recent promotion to Triple-A Norfolk. He’s walked more than 10% of the time and struck out less than 18%—elite marks for any player, let alone a teenager.

Scouts rave about his compact yet powerful swing and his bat-to-ball skills. He’s also made marked improvements behind the plate, with a stronger arm and improved pitch framing. Orioles catching coordinator Tim Cossins noted in a recent interview, “He’s working hard. He’s already got a major-league bat. We’re just working on rounding out the defensive consistency. He’s close.”

What’s the Holdup?

So if the bat is MLB-ready and the glove is improving, why the delay?

First, there’s the question of catching depth at the major league level. Adley Rutschman remains entrenched as the Orioles’ franchise catcher. With James McCann serving as the reliable veteran backup, there’s no glaring need for a third catcher—especially if that player isn’t guaranteed everyday playing time.

Secondly, there’s service time and roster control. Promoting Basallo now could start his service clock sooner than necessary. With the Orioles looking to maximize their championship window over the next several years, they may be strategically timing his debut for both player development and long-term roster control.

There’s also a clear commitment from the Orioles to allow Basallo to experience and overcome advanced pitching in Triple-A before thrusting him into the spotlight. Manager Brandon Hyde has spoken frequently about the importance of seeing how prospects adjust when pitchers find their weaknesses.

“We want to see how he handles the rough patches,” Hyde said. “Triple-A pitchers know how to exploit tendencies. This is where the real learning begins.”

Pressure From the Clubhouse?

Interestingly, the Orioles’ clubhouse has taken notice of Basallo’s dominance. Several players have publicly praised the young catcher’s talent and poise.

“Dude’s a beast,” said infielder Jordan Westburg. “He’s doing things at 19 that most guys can’t do at 25. We’re all excited to see what he does up here when the time comes.”

Even Adley Rutschman has reportedly taken Basallo under his wing during spring training and development camp stints.

“It’s fun to watch him work,” Rutschman said earlier this year. “He’s hungry and humble. The future’s bright with him behind the plate.”

Could He Be a September Call-Up?

While Elias refused to speculate on an exact promotion date, the idea of Basallo joining the Orioles when rosters expand in September remains a realistic possibility—especially if Baltimore maintains its postseason trajectory.

Having a left-handed bat off the bench, emergency catching depth, and a spark of youth down the stretch could be invaluable. Plus, the experience of being in a playoff chase would be a critical learning opportunity for Basallo.

However, that only happens if the Orioles believe he’s fully ready—mentally and physically.

“We’re not in the business of stunting development for the sake of buzz,” Elias reiterated. “When Samuel joins us in Baltimore, it will be because he’s ready to make an impact.”

The Orioles have proven time and time again that their measured approach to development yields results. From Rutschman to Gunnar Henderson, from Grayson Rodriguez to Colton Cowser—the system works. And if history is any indicator, fans should trust that Basallo’s debut will be worth the wait.

For now, the 19-year-old will continue to rake in Triple-A, soaking up experience and sharpening his tools. And when the time comes, he’ll be ready—not just to join the Orioles, but to help them win.

As Baltimore aims for October glory, Samuel Basallo’s shadow looms large. The only question is: when will the plan unfold?