When the Orioles announced on Aug. 22 that they had agreed to terms on an eight-year contract extension for Samuel Basallo, the move signaled a commitment to the future.
A look into that future began when Basallo and Dylan Beavers were both called up during the Orioles’ series in Houston from Aug. 15-17. It hasn’t been long, but both look like they belong at the big league level.
“I feel like I’ve settled in,” Beavers said. “I feel like it’s just baseball now.”
“Each day I’ve been feeling much better, more confident,” Basallo said.
Beavers and Basallo played in Baltimore for the first time this past weekend against the Astros. The home faithful welcomed the duo with standing ovations on Aug. 21 and kept cheering throughout the four-game series as they witnessed the future turn into the present.
Basallo’s deal ($67 million guaranteed) was signed just five games into his career. It’s the largest pre-arbitration extension ever for a catcher. The move, in a way, cemented his arrival to Baltimore.
Beavers cemented his arrival during his first-ever game at Camden Yards, demolishing a 3-2 changeup onto the right field flag court on Aug. 21 for his first career home run. The homer came against right-hander Jason Alexander, the same pitcher he made his big league debut against just five days prior.
“I kind of blacked out,” Beavers said. “I was just running, but when I got back in the dugout, it was one of the cooler things I’ve ever experienced. Best home run I’ve ever hit, for sure.”
Beavers, hitting .296/.441/.481, has secured hits in six of eight games. Basallo, hitting .261/.320/.348, has totaled more RBIs (five) than strikeouts (four). Basallo, in particular, has impressed the Orioles’ clubhouse already.
Basallo’s first experience catching in the major leagues came in Boston on Aug. 25. He went 2-for-5 with a double and a pair of RBIs, but he also caught a gem from Trevor Rogers (one run allowed and seven strikeouts in seven innings).
Rogers said after the win that Basallo hasn’t had the “moment” speed up on him. He said what Basallo is doing as a 21-year-old is “super impressive,” and lauded the youngster’s potential.
Basallo is now the club’s No. 1 catcher with Adley Rutschman hitting the injured list for the second time this season. Basallo won’t play every day — just like Rutschman didn’t — but most of his playing time will come behind the dish.
“He’s going to be spending so much time getting behind the dish and trying to learn how to be a catcher in the big leagues and call the right pitches for a brand-new staff essentially,” Mansolino said.
Basallo, 21, and Beavers, 24, put in their time in the minor leagues, each totaling more than 1,575 plate appearances and 360 games. Because of how many veterans the Orioles sent out ahead of the trade deadline, Beavers and Basallo join a roster that isn’t filled with many players much older than them. They entered a locker room with a “bring-them-along mentality,” as Mansolino put it.
“It’s a good clubhouse for those guys to integrate into,” Mansolino said. “They look around and there’s not a lot of 40-year-olds in there. It’s actually a lot of guys that are about the same age as them. … It’s a really good culture and environment for two young players to come into.”
The duo has endured hiccups, though.
In just his second start at catcher, Basallo overthrew second base on a stolen base attempt, allowing the runner advance to third on the error. Dean Kremer showed frustration with Basallo behind the dish at times on Aug. 23. Beavers has struck out 10 times in eight games.
Mansolino said the pair will remain in the bottom of the order for the rest of the season, not dissimilar to how Gunnar Henderson started his career.
As a highly-touted prospect, Henderson made his big leagues debut at 21 years old in late August three years ago. Playing all but six of his 34 games in the five spot of the lineup or lower, Henderson posted a .788 OPS and gained valuable experience entering the following season, when the Orioles became true playoff contenders.
Henderson won Rookie of the Year in 2023 and has ascended as a star. Baltimore is hoping its newest wave of youngsters does the same.
Photo Credits: Kenya Allen/PressBox