Orioles Call Up No. 1 Prospect Samuel Basallo and Post Hype Video Before Astros Game

The future is now for the Baltimore Orioles.

Ahead of Sunday's game against the Houston Astros, Baltimore called up highly regarded prospect Samuel Basallo. In doing so, it posted a hype video and an emotional video with his father sharing the news:

Basallo is the Orioles' No. 1 prospect and the No. 8 overall prospect in the league, per MLB.com's prospect rankings.

The catcher and first baseman has shown excellent power at AAA-Norfolk this season and is slashing .270/.377/.589 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI in 76 games. He also launched 20 home runs across three different minor-league levels in 2023 and 19 long balls across two different levels last year.

He is also just 21 years old and has the potential to be a powerful bat in the middle of the Orioles' lineup for the foreseeable future.

It makes sense for Baltimore to call him up at this point of the season, as it is in last place in the American League East and largely playing out the string. The 56-67 team could use a boost on the field and in terms of fan excitement, and Basallo provides just that.

He will also have the opportunity to make an immediate statement against some American League contenders, as the Orioles play only the Boston Red Sox and Astros during the next 11 games.

While the scouting report for Basallo expectedly focuses on his power at the plate, that isn't the only thing that stands out about his game.

"He has a cannon for an arm that can help control the running game and he moves surprisingly well behind the dish for a 6-foot-4 backstop," the MLB.com scouting report highlighted.

With the ability to control the running game and hit plenty of home runs at the dish, Basallo will make the Orioles a better team for the stretch run and provide excitement for the future. He can also be an important part of a young core alongside Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday as Baltimore looks to build a contender in the coming seasons.