Samuel Basallo's preseason hype in some circles outpaced his 2024 production in the upper levels of the minors, but he still performed very well, especially considering he turned 20 just a couple weeks before getting promoted to Triple-A in late August. He slashed .276/.339/.447 with 19 home runs, 10 steals, a 20.9 percent strikeout rate, an 8.6 percent walk rate and a 76.8 percent contact rate in 127 games and was the second-youngest qualified hitter at Double-A and the youngest hitter to get 80 plate appearances at Triple-A. Typically, the players who rapidly ascend through the minors as the youngest player at each level are shortstop prodigies or slugging corner infielders, so for Basallo to do so as a backstop is notable, as catchers tend to advance more slowly due to how much work is required of them on defense. Basallo has significant experience at first base (32 games in 2024, 28 games in 2023), so there's a chance he sees time there in addition to eventually being Adley Rutschman's backup and a part-time designated hitter. Given that Basallo struggled (62 wRC+, 31.4 K%) in a brief taste of Triple-A, he should return to that level, but he could get the call at any point this summer if Baltimore is lacking quality play at backup catcher.
