246 replies to this topic

[BobPhelan]

17 years old - Catcher

 

Signed for $1.3 million

 

DSL: .239 (.748), 18 R, 8 doubles, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 19 BB, 1 SB

 

Walk Rate: 12.3%

Strikeout Rate: 20.8%

ISO: .172

wRC+: 109

[makoman]

Hitting .321/.381/.518 for a .899 OPS in 63 PAs and 141 wRC+

 

I just realized he's younger than Jones, Holliday, Green, and Johnson. 

[BobPhelan]

Yordan Alvarez is the dream comp. But he’s a big kid that can hit.

[dude]

Basallo just snuck onto Pipeline top100 at #100. 

[Nigel Tufnel]

Law:

 

34. Sammy Basallo, C, Baltimore Orioles

Previous ranking: Unranked

A bit of context might help for readers who aren’t Orioles fans: Baltimore didn’t bother with the international free agent market for at least a decade, and when they gave Basallo a $1.3 million bonus in 2021 — the largest in club history— even though bonuses of $3 million-plus are pretty common at this point. The O’s are where they are in the standings because they have drafted unbelievably well since Mike Elias took over as GM, and if they start hitting on IFAs like they seem to have hit on Basallo, we should all run for cover. He’s an offensive catcher with plus power, maybe 70 power in the end, hitting 12 homers already this season as an 18-year-old in Low A, tying him for fourth in the Carolina League behind three guys all 21 and older. He can catch even with a body that’s on the larger side for the position with a plus arm that’s helped him nail 32 percent of opposing runners this year. I suppose you could argue that the Orioles have their catcher for the next decade, but Basallo would be the catcher of the future for the majority of MLB teams right now.

[BaltBird 24]

Damn. Huge jump for Bassallo.

[BobPhelan]

Promoted to A+ Aberdeen.

[Hooded Viper]

Does he have the potential to be better than Adley? I’m not too concerned about being a big body, hell Yaddy Molina wasn’t a little dude and he turned out to be pretty good wink wink.

[BobPhelan]

Does he have the potential to be better than Adley? I’m not too concerned about being a big body, hell Yaddy Molina wasn’t a little dude and he turned out to be pretty good wink wink.

I don’t think I’m qualified to make that distinction haha but his potential is through the roof. Offensively yes, he can be. It’s such easy ridiculous power and he’s showing serious signs of growth with swing decision/plate discipline.

[RichardZ]

I don’t think I’m qualified to make that distinction haha but his potential is through the roof. Offensively yes, he can be. It’s such easy ridiculous power and he’s showing serious signs of growth with swing decision/plate discipline.

Right. It’s impossible to say what his best case is but probably fair to say he’s way ahead of where Adley was at 18. He might already have him beat in the power department. Doesn’t mean he’s going to wind up a better ML catcher but you can certainly dream on the future.

[Slidemaster]

This FO is so methodical that I bet they already have Basallo penciled into the 2028 OD roster after they trade Adley in 2027 for prospects.

[BobPhelan]

He'll be on the roster in 2-3 years and theres no reason he can't coexist with Adley.

[BobPhelan]

Started 2-26 with Aberdeen, since then:

 

.396/.500/.792 (1.292) with 5 doubles, a triple, 4 HR, 4 SB, 17.2% BB rate, 15.5% K rate, 235 wRC+ over 58 PA

 

Came back from concussion protocol last night after missing a week and hit two homeruns and a double and walked twice. First homerun was pulled at 110 mph. Just turned 19.

[BobPhelan]

Promoted to AA Bowie.

[makoman]

Promoted to AA Bowie.

19 and 1 month, wow. In the last month he hit .424/.531/.909 with an 8/13 HR/K ratio, one of the better you'll see.

[BobPhelan]

19 and 1 month, wow. In the last month he hit .424/.531/.909 with an 8/13 HR/K ratio, one of the better you'll see.

 

Was at the game today. He's special. Incredibly loose and confident at the plate and in the field (played first base today). There is a lot of Anthony Santander in him personality wise. 

[BaltBird 24]

Kid turned 19 less than a month ago....

[BaltBird 24]

He's gotta be #2 behind Holliday. No disrespect to Cowser, Kjerstad, etc but no way he's not #2.

[dude]

He's gotta be #2 behind Holliday. No disrespect to Cowser, Kjerstad, etc but no way he's not #2.

 

Probably 3 behind Mayo for me, but moving up for sure.

[BobPhelan]

Yeah I have him 3rd behind Mayo as well.