Baltimore is finalizing an eight-year, $67 million contract extension with catching prospect Basallo that includes a club option for 2034. The 21-year-old, viewed as one of baseball’s top prospects, made his MLB debut last weekend and has started his big-league career with four hits in 14 at-bats, including a double and five RBIs across his first four games. This year in the minors, Basallo posted a strong .966 OPS with 23 homers over 76 games for Triple-A Norfolk.
The deal can climb to $88.5 million if the 2034 option is exercised and all escalators are hit. The move comes as Adley Rutschman hits the injured list with an oblique issue, giving Basallo an immediate chance to serve as Baltimore’s primary catcher for the foreseeable future, while also seeing considerable time at designated hitter.
What this means for the Orioles
– A clear vote of confidence in Basallo’s long-term potential, locking him into a major portion of the franchise’s playoff window.
– Immediate opportunity to anchor the catching position and contribute to the lineup as he adjusts to big-league pitching.
– The extension aligns with Baltimore’s continued focus on developing and retaining homegrown talent around a core that could include Rutschman and other rising stars.
Summary
Baltimore is staking a major part of its present and future on Basallo with a long-term contract that rewards his early success and signals confidence in his development as a front-line catcher.
A hopeful note
If Basallo maintains his early trajectory and stays healthy, the Orioles could benefit from a stable, productive backbone behind the plate for years, while providing the team with flexibility to deploy him in multiple roles as he grows.