The Road to The Show™: Orioles’ Basallo
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at second-ranked Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here. Samuel Basallo represents something both uncommon and familiar for
Each week, MiLB.com profiles an elite prospect by chronicling the steps he's taken toward achieving his Major League dream. Here's a look at second-ranked Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo. For more stories about players on The Road to The Show, click here.
Samuel Basallo represents something both uncommon and familiar for the Orioles.
MLB Pipeline’s No. 17 overall prospect is yet another elite young talent to come up through Baltimore’s system and possibly challenge for the No. 1 overall prospect spot by season’s end. But unlike the Orioles’ other top prospects, including the current No. 1 overall prospect Jackson Holliday and recent graduates like Adley Rutschman and Gunnar Henderson, Basallo was brought into the system through the club’s re-investment in the international market.
Despite graduating some of the game’s top prospects in recent years, the Orioles have maintained the best farm system in baseball in each of MLB Pipeline’s past six rankings. Although most of that talent has come from the Draft, Baltimore’s recent international investments, after years of dormancy in that market, have deepened the system. In 2024, nine players among the club’s Top 30 prospects were acquired on the international market. The leader among them is Basallo, a 6-foot-3, 19-year-old backstop who finished his first full season at Double-A Bowie last year.
Basallo opened his 2023 breakout season as the Orioles’ No. 12 prospect. He proceeded to lead the organization in wRC+ (162) while finishing second with a .313 batting average, .953 OPS and .551 slugging percentage across three levels of the Minors. His wRC+ and OPS ranked third among all Minor Leaguers with more than 400 plate appearances.
The lefty slugger does not sacrifice contact for power and still consistently produces impressive exit velocities. Scouts believe that his first 20-homer season in 2023 will certainly not be his last. Defensively, he may soon see a permanent shift to first base, where he played 28 games last season. He’s blocked behind the plate at the Major League level by Rutschman, but he has 60-grade arm strength and threw out nearly a third of would-be base stealers in 2023. So, he should certainly get some more runway at the position.
“There’s a catch-up process to learning how to call a game behind the plate,” Orioles general manager Mike Elias told the Baltimore Banner last week. “He’s doing that, but his bat is even more advanced. I think that’s going to be an interesting theme this year. He’s a very, very special talent. He’s one of the very best minor league players in all of baseball right now.”
The Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, native was a restless kid who got into baseball just to get out of the house. By the time he was eligible to sign, he’d generated plenty of interest from a number of different clubs. The Orioles were attempting to re-establish a foothold in the international market, which was a primary directive for Elias when he took over the GM role in 2018. Elias himself oversaw the $1.3 million deal that landed Basallo with the Orioles in 2020, the announcement of which was pushed back to the following January due to the pandemic.
Basallo and Venezuelan shortstop Maikol Hernandez were the headliners of a 17-player class that cost the Orioles $5.75 million and signaled that the club was finally ready to be players in the Latin American market.
Basallo stayed local for his professional debut later that summer in the Rookie-level Dominican Summer League. He batted .239 with a .748 OPS while registering five homers, eight doubles and 19 RBIs. He mostly stayed behind the plate but got into 13 games at first base as well.
The following season, Basallo came stateside but remained in Rookie ball in the Florida Complex League. Over 43 games, he batted .278/.350/.424 with six homers and 32 RBIs while continuing to split time defensively as both a backstop and a first baseman.
During his breakout season in 2023, Basallo seemed to get better as the season progressed. He spent the bulk of the year with Single-A Delmarva and was named the MVP of the Carolina League. Basallo batted .299 with an .887 OPS and collected 35 extra-base hits, including 12 homers, and 60 RBIs in 83 games.
On Aug. 1, he was promoted to High-A Aberdeen and continued to crush the ball, eventually being named the South Atlantic League Player of the Month in September. Over 27 games with the IronBirds, Basallo batted .333/.443/.688 with eight homers, six doubles and 24 RBIs.
He was promoted again for the final four games of Bowie’s season and had a ridiculous series in Harrisburg during which he collected seven hits in 15 at-bats. For his tremendous season, Basallo was named to the All-MiLB Prospect First Team at the inaugural MiLB Awards Show.
The Orioles rewarded Basallo with a non-roster invite to big league Spring Training. But he has been limited to just four at-bats, two of which came during the club’s Spring Breakout game, as a designated hitter as he was recovering from a right elbow stress fracture. He is expected to be able to resume playing the field again in late April.
Despite opening the year with some limitations, Basallo, who turns 20 in August, is well-positioned to be the leader of the deepest, most talented prospect group in the league by season’s end. He should return to Bowie to open the season, where he could conceivably be just one call from the Majors.
Gerard Gilberto is a reporter for MiLB.com.
Reno's Rally in the Ninth Sends Comets to 8-7 Loss
Reno Aces — 8 Oklahoma City Comets — 7 Friday, June 6, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: The Reno Aces hit two home runs to score three runs in the ninth inning as they came back to defeat the Oklahoma City Comets, 8-7, Friday
Senzel Homers as Comets Secure First Win of Series
Oklahoma City Comets — 5 Reno Aces — 3 Thursday, June 5, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: Nick Senzel homered in the third inning and the Oklahoma City Comets led the rest of the way in a 5-3 win against the Reno Aces Thursday
Comets Fold Against Aces, 6-5
Reno Aces — 6 Oklahoma City Comets — 5 Wednesday, June 4, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: Trey Mancini hit a three-run home run for the Reno Aces in the ninth inning as the Aces came back to defeat the Oklahoma City Comets, 6-5,
Aces Take Series Opener Versus Comets Tuesday
Reno Aces — 7 Oklahoma City Comets — 6 Tuesday, June 3, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Comets fought back to tie Tuesday night’s game in the eighth inning, but the Reno Aces scored a go-ahead run in the ninth inning
Special Theme Nights Highlight Weekend of Comets Home Series That Starts Tonight at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Comets will host their first Salute to Armed Forces Night of the season along with Heroes and Villains Night as part of a six-game home series that starts at 7:05 tonight against the Reno Aces to kick off the month of June at Chickasaw
Okey Leads Way as Comets Secure Key Series Win Sunday
Oklahoma City Comets — 12 Las Vegas Aviators — 3 Sunday, June 1, 2025 – Las Vegas Ballpark – Las Vegas, Nev. Game Summary: Chris Okey racked up four RBI on four hits to lead the way as the Oklahoma City Comets won a key series finale against the Las
Comets Topple Aviators in Saturday Slugfest
Oklahoma City Comets — 17 Las Vegas Aviators — 11 Saturday, May 31, 2025 – Las Vegas Ballpark – Las Vegas, Nev. Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Comets set season highs with 17 runs and 20 hits, emerging victorious over the Las Vegas Aviators, 17-11, in a Saturday night slugfest
Comets Fight Back, but Aviators Walk Off with Win
Las Vegas Aviators — 9 Oklahoma City Comets — 7 Friday, May 30, 2025 – Las Vegas Ballpark – Las Vegas, Nev. Game Summary: Colby Thomas hit a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending the Las Vegas Aviators to a 9-7 win over the
Ward Goes Deep Three Times as Comets Win
Oklahoma City Comets — 9 Las Vegas Aviators — 3 Thursday, May 29, 2025 – Las Vegas Ballpark – Las Vegas, Nev. Game Summary: Ryan Ward went 5-for-5 with three home runs and six RBI, headlining the Oklahoma City Comets’ 9-3 win over the Las Vegas Aviators Thursday night at
Aviators Start Hot and Beat Comets, 8-2
Las Vegas Aviators — 8 Oklahoma City Comets — 2 Wednesday, May 28, 2025 – Las Vegas Ballpark – Las Vegas, Nev. Game Summary: The Las Vegas Aviators scored three runs in the bottom of the first inning and led for the rest of the game during an 8-2 win
Comets Hit Five Homers, Rally to Win in Las Vegas
Oklahoma City Comets — 11 Las Vegas Aviators — 9 (10 innings) Tuesday, May 27, 2025 – Las Vegas Ballpark – Las Vegas, Nev. Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Comets overcame a late four-run deficit and hit three home runs over the final three innings to beat the Las Vegas
Big Fifth Inning Helps Send Comets to 9-6 Win Sunday
Oklahoma City Comets — 9 Sacramento River Cats — 6 Sunday, May 25, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Comets scored seven runs in the fifth inning and the bullpen held the Sacramento River Cats scoreless over the final five innings in
Sacramento Sends Comets to Saturday Loss
Sacramento River Cats — 11 Oklahoma City Comets — 4 Saturday, May 24, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: The Sacramento River Cats scored runs in five of the final six innings of Saturday night’s game to defeat the Oklahoma City Comets, 11-4, at Chickasaw
Comets Fall to River Cats, 8-6, Friday
Sacramento River Cats — 8 Oklahoma City Comets — 6 Friday, May 23, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Comets chipped away at the early lead built by the Sacramento River Cats Friday night, but would go on to an 8-6 loss
Comets Close Out Win with Seven Unanswered Runs Thursday
Oklahoma City Comets — 9 Sacramento River Cats — 5 Thursday, May 22, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Comets closed out Thursday night’s game by scoring seven unanswered runs to come back and defeat the Sacramento River Cats, 9-5, at Chickasaw
Tickets On Sale Now For MLB's Home Run Derby X in OKC Aug. 23
OKLAHOMA CITY – Tickets are on sale now for the 2025 Home Run Derby X tour, including its Aug. 23 stop in Oklahoma City at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark. Home Run Derby X is an exciting three-on-three co-ed competition built around power hitting and athletic catches showcasing a home run derby
OKC Unable to Overcome Early Deficit in 8-1 Loss
Sacramento River Cats — 8 Oklahoma City Comets — 1 Wednesday, May 21, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: For the second straight game, the Sacramento River Cats built an early lead through three innings that provided enough offense to defeat the Oklahoma City Comets
River Cats Ride Early Lead to Defeat OKC in Series Opener
Sacramento River Cats — 11 Oklahoma City Comets — 5 Tuesday, May 20, 2025 – Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark – Oklahoma City, Okla. Game Summary: The Sacramento River Cats jumped out to an 8-0 lead and went on to defeat the Oklahoma City Comets, 11-5, Tuesday night in the series opener
Comets Host Bark in the Park Tonight Presented by Tito's Handmade Vodka
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma City Comets feature Bark in the Park tonight at Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark for the first of six straight home games through Sunday against the Sacramento River Cats. Gates open at 6 p.m. and first pitch is slated for 7:05 tonight with Bark in the Park
Express' Two-Out Rallies Send Comets to Sunday Loss
Round Rock Express — 5 Oklahoma City Comets — 4 (10 innings) Sunday, May 18, 2025 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas Game Summary: The Round Rock Express scored three runs with two outs in the ninth inning and two runs with two outs in the 10th inning to
Another Six-Run Strike Leads to Victory
Oklahoma City Comets — 7 Round Rock Express — 3 Saturday, May 17, 2025 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Comets once again used a six-run inning to lead the way to victory during a 7-3 win over the Round Rock Express Saturday night
Senzel's Slam Highlights 8-2 Win
Oklahoma City Comets — 8 Round Rock Express — 2 Friday, May 16, 2025 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas Game Summary: The Oklahoma City Comets scored six runs in the top of the third inning highlighted by a grand slam from Nick Senzel, leading to an 8-2 win
Comets Come Back, but Fall in Extras
Round Rock Express — 6 Oklahoma City Comets — 5 (10 Innings) Thursday, May 15, 2025 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas Game Summary: The Round Rock Express scored twice in the bottom of the 10th inning to beat the Oklahoma City Comets, 6-5, Thursday night at Dell Diamond.
Houser, Express Blank Comets
Round Rock Express — 5 Oklahoma City Comets — 0 Wednesday, May 14, 2025 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas Game Summary: Adrian Houser threw 8.2 scoreless innings and kept the Oklahoma City Comets without a hit until the seventh inning as the Round Rock Express blanked the Comets,
Big Third Inning Helps Lift Comets to Win
Oklahoma City Comets — 8 Round Rock Express — 5 Tuesday, May 13, 2025 – Dell Diamond – Round Rock, Texas Game Summary: After falling behind by three runs early, the Oklahoma City Comets scored six runs in the third inning and went on to defeat the Round Rock Express,