KANSAS CITY -- Samuel Basallo, ranked as the Orioles¡¯ No. 1 prospect and MLB¡¯s No. 13 overall by MLB Pipeline, was removed from Triple-A Norfolk¡¯s game against Charlotte on Friday night with left hamstring discomfort, the team announced. There was no immediate update on the severity as he went 1-for-1 with a run scored before exiting.
The 20-year-old catcher/first baseman was assigned to Triple-A late in Spring Training after impressing in batting practice and crushing two home homers over 16 Grapefruit League games, where he hit .226 with a .770 OPS.
Basallo, who was being limited as a designated hitter to start the season because of right elbow inflammation, was batting .211 with two home runs in six games with the Tides. He had a breakout season in 2023, when he hit .313 with a .953 OPS and 20 home runs in 114 games between Single-A Delmarva, High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Chesapeake.
Baltimore¡¯s top prospect signed for a then-franchise record bonus of $1.3 million in January 2021 out of the Dominican Republic as a 16-year-old, and Basallo has quickly risen through the Minor League ranks. He took part in the 2024 Futures Game last season, where he eventually reached Triple-A as a 19-year-old.
Basallo is primarily a catcher, but he has flashed the ability to play a strong first base, along with his time as a DH, which could pair nicely with Adley Rutschman down the line. Basallo played 56 games behind the plate between Double-A and Triple-A last season to go along with 32 games at first base.