Samuel Basallo Stats & Scouting Report

AB	1190
AVG	.286
OBP	.364
SLG	.477
HR	50

Full name Samuel Alexander Basallo
Born 08/13/2004 in Santo Domingo Centro, Dominican Republic
Profile Ht.: 6'3" / Wt.: 180 / Bats: L / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 65/High.

Track Record: After years of an ownership aversion to signing international amateur free agents, the Orioles returned to the market in 2019 when Mike Elias hired Koby Perez as senior director of international scouting. In his first full signing period, the pandemic-delayed signing window that was pushed to January 2021, the club used $1.3 million to land Basallo, who was previously connected to the Yankees and quickly became the crown jewel of Baltimore’s international program. He was the 2023 Carolina League MVP in his full-season debut, a season in which he earned two promotions with a .953 OPS and 20 home runs over three levels at age 18. He spent the bulk of 2024 at Double-A Bowie, logging 16 home runs and an .820 OPS before spending the last month of the season at Triple-A Norfolk as one of only a handful of teenagers to reach the level. The Orioles were impressed with how Basallo, who was invited to major league camp but was limited due to a stress reaction in his elbow, reacted to some of the steepest challenges of his professional career in 2024.

Scouting Report: Basallo has an elite offensive skill set for several reasons, with his ability to generate hard contact chief among them. His hard-hit rate of 49.6% led Orioles prospects, and his 90th percentile exit velocity was 105.9 mph. He’s still in the process of harnessing his power in games, because his advanced bat-to-ball skills and ability to make contact on pitches all over—and sometimes out of—the strike zone can lead to suboptimal contact. This is viewed less as a plate discipline issue and more of an experience issue. Basallo sees pitches well out of pitchers’ hands and is a diligent game-planner for his at-bats. Focusing more on pitches he can drive will further unlock his advanced offensive potential, especially given his adjustability and strong base at a young age. Basallo is flexible for his massive size and moves well behind the plate, though his receiving is an area of constant work as he gains professional experience at the position. He boasts a tremendously strong arm and accurately deploys it. His cerebral approach of cataloging his at-bats in the batter’s box carries over behind the plate as he grows into the role of managing a pitching staff and reading hitters to help navigate upper-level lineups. While Basallo may be challenged to be a full-time major league catcher, his skill set is adequate on its current trajectory to catch a few times each week while being an impact bat. He has also spent time learning first base.

The Future: The offensive upside Basallo possesses, as well as the tremendously high standard he sets for himself, create the incredibly attractive profile of an impact middle-of-the-order major league bat. The value of that may be influenced by his ability to stay behind the plate, but Basallo has all-star potential and could push for a major league debut in 2025.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 70 | Run: 40 | Field: 50 | Arm: 70.
BA Grade: 65/High

Track Record: Basallo was an early, significant investment in the Orioles’ return to the international scouting market. His $1.3 million bonus in January 2021 was a club record, and he has been at the forefront of their international program ever since. Basallo made his full-season debut in 2023 at Low-A Delmarva, hitting 12 home runs with an .887 OPS as an 18-year-old to earn Carolina League MVP honors. He destroyed the High-A South Atlantic League, hitting eight home runs with a 1.131 OPS in 27 games before ending the season with a week at Double-A Bowie.

Scouting Report: Recent Orioles international signees haven’t fared well in transitioning to full-season ball, but Basallo was carried by improved plate discipline and advanced bat-to-ball skills for a slugger. He hits with a quiet but strong lower half and generates impressive bat speed, with his adjustability and pitch recognition giving him the potential to be at least an average hitter with double-plus power capabilities as he further adds strength and learns which pitches he can drive. Behind the plate, Basallo moves well for someone his size and is improving his actions and receiving as he climbs through the minors. His best trait behind the plate is a plus-plus arm with above-average accuracy, allowing him to control the running game. He may ultimately fall short of his fringe-average ceiling behind the plate, though he should be able to play there a few times a week, with his bat keeping him in the lineup elsewhere on days he’s not catching.

The Future: Basallo has the skills to be a standout two-way catcher, with the potential to be an all-star for his bat in his peak offensive seasons. He’ll be back at Double-A Bowie at age 19 to begin 2024, and will likely spend the season in the high minors before pushing for major league time in 2025.

Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 70 | Run: 40 | Field: 45 | Arm: 70
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Orioles' renewed commitment to Latin America in recent years meant Basallo, their top signee in January 2021, signed for a club-record $1.3 million bonus. Earlier in the signing period, he'd been connected to the Yankees. Basallo hit a team-high five home runs in the Dominican Summer League in 2021, then played most of the Florida Complex League season at age 17 and tied for the league lead with six home runs.

Scouting Report: At this nascent stage in Basallo's pro career, the potential for plus-plus power is real. While he might only be a fringe-average hitter and maintains a high chase rate, he dealt with being pitched tough better as the season went on and hit a third of his balls in play over 95 mph during the FCL season. He also kept his strikeout rate manageable and walked at a decent clip, leading the Orioles to believe he can continue to manage that aspect of his game and keep the slugging ability accessible by bringing pitchers into his damage zones. Basallo signed with a plus arm and despite being big for his age showed improved flexibility and movement behind the plate that keeps the position in play for him long term.

The Future: As long as he's catching, Basallo's profile is an attractive one with middle-of-the-lineup slugging potential at a premium position. His bat makes it so he could still be valuable at first base or a corner outfield spot, too. He'll likely make his affiliated debut at age-18 at Low-A Delmarva in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
Track Record: Basallo received the largest bonus for a Latin American amateur player in Orioles history when he signed for $1.3 million in January 2021, one of two seven-figure bonuses the club handed out in that signing period. Before signing with the Orioles, he was connected to the Yankees. Basallo marked his pro debut with five home runs in the Dominican Summer League, most by an Orioles prospect there.

Scouting Report: Basallo’s power is one of several promising tools, as it could be plus-plus power as he continues to grow into it and refine both his approach and his swing. As he learns how his body moves and reduces his chase rate, the Orioles see potential for him to improve on what was the best hard-hit rate in their Dominican group. While already big for his age, Basallo is athletic behind the plate with a plus arm that could keep him at the position as he continues to develop.

The Future: Basallo came stateside for the Orioles’ fall instructional camp, indicating he could spend 2021 in the Florida Complex League. While he’s a long way away, Basallo has the skills to grow into a bat-first, everyday catcher or possibly hit enough to play as a corner outfielder.
TRACK RECORD: Once connected to the Yankees, Basallo inked with the Orioles once the coronavirus-delayed signing period opened. Despite being one of the youngest players in the class, Basallo already stands at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and might not be done filling out.

SCOUTING REPORT: Basallo has a sound swing for someone his size and already shows raw power that could become plus-plus at its peak. His swing is short and quick, and helps Basallo stay through the middle of the field well. He’s also got sound timing for someone his age. Behind the plate, Basallo has at least a plus arm and surprising flexibility and athleticism for a bigger catcher. He might outgrow the position, but he has the athleticism and arm strength for a corner outfield spot.

THE FUTURE: Because he’s so far away, Basallo should start his professional career in the Dominican Republic. Even so, he already ranks as the second-best catching prospect in the system, behind Adley Rutschman.

Top 100 Rankings

Scouting Reports

BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Orioles' renewed commitment to Latin America in recent years meant Basallo, their top signee in January 2021, signed for a club-record $1.3 million bonus. Earlier in the signing period, he'd been connected to the Yankees. Basallo hit a team-high five home runs in the Dominican Summer League in 2021, then played most of the Florida Complex League season at age 17 and tied for the league lead with six home runs.

Scouting Report: At this nascent stage in Basallo's pro career, the potential for plus-plus power is real. While he might only be a fringe-average hitter and maintains a high chase rate, he dealt with being pitched tough better as the season went on and hit a third of his balls in play over 95 mph during the FCL season. He also kept his strikeout rate manageable and walked at a decent clip, leading the Orioles to believe he can continue to manage that aspect of his game and keep the slugging ability accessible by bringing pitchers into his damage zones. Basallo signed with a plus arm and despite being big for his age showed improved flexibility and movement behind the plate that keeps the position in play for him long term.

The Future: As long as he's catching, Basallo's profile is an attractive one with middle-of-the-lineup slugging potential at a premium position. His bat makes it so he could still be valuable at first base or a corner outfield spot, too. He'll likely make his affiliated debut at age-18 at Low-A Delmarva in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme

Track Record: The Orioles' renewed commitment to Latin America in recent years meant Basallo, their top signee in January 2021, signed for a club-record $1.3 million bonus. Earlier in the signing period, he'd been connected to the Yankees. Basallo hit a team-high five home runs in the Dominican Summer League in 2021, then played most of the Florida Complex League season at age 17 and tied for the league lead with six home runs.

Scouting Report: At this nascent stage in Basallo's pro career, the potential for plus-plus power is real. While he might only be a fringe-average hitter and maintains a high chase rate, he dealt with being pitched tough better as the season went on and hit a third of his balls in play over 95 mph during the FCL season. He also kept his strikeout rate manageable and walked at a decent clip, leading the Orioles to believe he can continue to manage that aspect of his game and keep the slugging ability accessible by bringing pitchers into his damage zones. Basallo signed with a plus arm and despite being big for his age showed improved flexibility and movement behind the plate that keeps the position in play for him long term.

The Future: As long as he's catching, Basallo's profile is an attractive one with middle-of-the-lineup slugging potential at a premium position. His bat makes it so he could still be valuable at first base or a corner outfield spot, too. He'll likely make his affiliated debut at age-18 at Low-A Delmarva in 2023.

Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 60. Speed: 40. Fielding: 50. Arm: 60.
BA Grade: 45/Extreme

Track Record: Basallo received the largest bonus for a Latin American amateur player in Orioles history when he signed for $1.3 million in January 2021, one of two seven-figure bonuses the club handed out in that signing period. Before signing with the Orioles, he was connected to the Yankees. Basallo marked his pro debut with five home runs in the Dominican Summer League, most by an Orioles prospect there.

Scouting Report: Basallo&#39s power is one of several promising tools, as it could be plus-plus power as he continues to grow into it and refine both his approach and his swing. As he learns how his body moves and reduces his chase rate, the Orioles see potential for him to improve on what was the best hard-hit rate in their Dominican group. While already big for his age, Basallo is athletic behind the plate with a plus arm that could keep him at the position as he continues to develop.

The Future: Basallo came stateside for the Orioles&#39 fall instructional camp, indicating he could spend 2021 in the Florida Complex League. While he&#39s a long way away, Basallo has the skills to grow into a bat-first, everyday catcher or possibly hit enough to play as a corner outfielder.
Track Record: Basallo received the largest bonus for a Latin American amateur player in Orioles history when he signed for $1.3 million in January 2021, one of two seven-figure bonuses the club handed out in that signing period. Before signing with the Orioles, he was connected to the Yankees. Basallo marked his pro debut with five home runs in the Dominican Summer League, most by an Orioles prospect there.

Scouting Report: Basallo’s power is one of several promising tools, as it could be plus-plus power as he continues to grow into it and refine both his approach and his swing. As he learns how his body moves and reduces his chase rate, the Orioles see potential for him to improve on what was the best hard-hit rate in their Dominican group. While already big for his age, Basallo is athletic behind the plate with a plus arm that could keep him at the position as he continues to develop.

The Future: Basallo came stateside for the Orioles’ fall instructional camp, indicating he could spend 2021 in the Florida Complex League. While he’s a long way away, Basallo has the skills to grow into a bat-first, everyday catcher or possibly hit enough to play as a corner outfielder.
TRACK RECORD: Once connected to the Yankees, Basallo inked with the Orioles once the coronavirus-delayed signing period opened. Despite being one of the youngest players in the class, Basallo already stands at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and might not be done filling out.
SCOUTING REPORT: Basallo has a sound swing for someone his size and already shows raw power that could become plus-plus at its peak. His swing is short and quick, and helps Basallo stay through the middle of the field well. He's also got sound timing for someone his age. Behind the plate, Basallo has at least a plus arm and surprising flexibility and athleticism for a bigger catcher. He might outgrow the position, but he has the athleticism and arm strength for a corner outfield spot.
THE FUTURE: Because he's so far away, Basallo should start his professional career in the Dominican Republic. Even so, he already ranks as the second-best catching prospect in the system, behind Adley Rutschman.
Basallo is one of the youngest players in the class and was once connected to the Yankees, but he's now expected to sign with the Orioles for a bonus near $1.5 million. Basallo is a tall, physical catcher with a plus arm, above-average raw power and a sound swing from the left side. Already 6-foot-3 at 16, Basallo might outgrow catcher if he keeps getting bigger, but right now he's lean and agile with good flexibility behind the plate for his size. Basallo trains with Ivan Noboa.
TRACK RECORD: Once connected to the Yankees, Basallo inked with the Orioles once the coronavirus-delayed signing period opened. Despite being one of the youngest players in the class, Basallo already stands at 6-foot-4, 200 pounds and might not be done filling out.

SCOUTING REPORT: Basallo has a sound swing for someone his size and already shows raw power that could become plus-plus at its peak. His swing is short and quick, and helps Basallo stay through the middle of the field well. He’s also got sound timing for someone his age. Behind the plate, Basallo has at least a plus arm and surprising flexibility and athleticism for a bigger catcher. He might outgrow the position, but he has the athleticism and arm strength for a corner outfield spot.

THE FUTURE: Because he’s so far away, Basallo should start his professional career in the Dominican Republic. Even so, he already ranks as the second-best catching prospect in the system, behind Adley Rutschman.