MLB's No. 12 prospect to represent the Orioles at prospect mid-summer classic
*Cover Photo Credit: John Topoleski
The mid-summer prospect showcase, the Futures Game, will occur 10 days from today at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. This is a chance for the baseball world to bestow their eyes on some of the game's most prized up-and-rising prospects, the future of Major Leagyue Baseball.
The Baltimore Orioles will have one lone representative wearing the Oriole orange and black for them on that special day.
That player is catcher Samuel Basallo.

Basallo is just 19-years-old, but he is already taking the Minor League world by storm. Standing at 6'4", the Dominican Republic native is ranked by MLB Pipeline as baseball's No. 12 prospect and the Orioles' No. 2 prospect. He has a humongous build, one that speaks obscure power with the bat and a big, strong, muscular young man who has God-given athletic abilities.
Basallo is coming off a 2023 season that saw him absolutely rake. Spending time with Low-A Delmarva, High-A Aberdeen, and Double-A Bowie, he was a .313 hitter with 20 home runs and 86 RBI. His stats also included a .551 slugging percentage and a .953 OPS.
So far in 2024, he has spent the entire season with Bowie and has posted respectable numbers while working in defensively as a catcher, firstbaseman, and designated hitter. Basallo is a .278 hitter this year with 12 home runs and 37 RBI. He is slugging .468 with an .810 OPS, and he also has 13 doubles.
Most recently, he absolutely launched a 3-run home run against the Richmond Flying Squirrels last night in the Baysox' 9-5 loss. That ball was beyond punished.
Basallo's main specialty is the bat, and he swings a darn good stick. Basallo can hit for a good average but when he runs into his pitch, he is going to send that baseball a long, long way out of the park. Even if he does not send it out of the park, he is going to hit the ball hard whether it is on a line, on the ground, or in the air. Look at him, and you'll understand why he has so much power. He is massive.
The defense will come. As mentioned, his speciality comes in offensive production. The Orioles are working with him on his defense behind the dish, primarily with blocking and framing. He is in good hands with a good developmental coaching staff and once he gets to high standards as a catcher, he will be a complete wholesome backstop worthy of being a Top 5 MLB prospect.

Put the defense aside; Basallo is a special young player. His role with the Orioles remain unknown, whether he will be an everyday DH and backup catcher, whether he will be an everyday firstbaseman, that remains unknown. What is obvious is the big future that Basallo has in an Orioles uniform, and his selection to the Futures Game has him on the right track.
It is a well-deserved honor for the teenage phenom. Those who are in attendance for the game will be in for a treat as many of them will be watching Basallo for the very first time. There, he should demonstrate why he is the 12th best prospect in baseball and why his future is so bright.
Here is a list of other past Orioles prospects who have been selected to the MLB Futures Game dating all the way back to 2014.
2023: Jackson Holliday, Heston Kjerstad
2022: Gunnar Henderson
2021: Adley Rutschman
2020: no Futures Game, COVID-19 pandemic
2019: Grayson Rodriguez
2018: Ryan Mountcastle, Alex Wells
2017: Tanner Scott
2016: Chance Sisco
2015: Zach Davies
2014: Dariel Alvarez, Hunter Harvey
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