Samuel Basallo

Samuel Alexander Basallo (SAM-well bah-SY-yo; born August 13, 2004) is a Dominican professional baseball catcher and first baseman for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2025.

Samuel Basallo
Basallo at the 2024 All-Star Futures Game
Baltimore Orioles – No. 29
Catcher / First baseman
Born: (2004-08-13) August 13, 2004 (age 21) Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
Bats: Left Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 17, 2025, for the Baltimore Orioles
MLB statistics (through 2025 season)
Batting average	.165
Home runs	4
Runs batted in	15
Teams
Baltimore Orioles (2025–present)

Career

Basallo signed with the Baltimore Orioles as an international free agent on January 15, 2021.^[1] He made his professional debut that year with the Dominican Summer League Orioles.

Basallo played 2022 with the rookie-level Florida Complex League Orioles and started 2023 with the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds.^[2][3] With Delmarva, he was chosen for the 2023 Carolina League Most Valuable Player Award and Top MLB Prospect Award.^[4]

Basallo opened 2024 with the Double-A Bowie Baysox.^[5][6] In 106 games for Bowie, he slashed .289/.355/.465 with 16 home runs, 55 RBI, and nine stolen bases. On August 27, 2024, Basallo was promoted to the triple-A Norfolk Tides.^[7]

Basallo returned to Norfolk in 2025, hitting .270/.377/.589 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI in 76 appearances. On August 17, 2025, Basallo was selected to the 40-man roster and promoted to the major leagues for the first time.^[8] His first MLB hit was a two-run single off Enyel De Los Santos in the eighth inning of an Orioles' 12–0 away win over the Houston Astros later that afternoon. His three-run homer attempt in the previous inning was denied by a Jesús Sánchez catch at the right-field wall.^[9] On August 22, Basallo and the Orioles agreed to an eight-year, $67 million contract extension.^[10] On August 30, he became the youngest catcher in franchise history to hit a home run.^[11]

On September 5, 2025, Basallo hit a walk-off home run with two outs and two strikes in the bottom of the ninth inning, leading the Orioles to a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was Basallo's first home run at Camden Yards, and the first walk-off home run or hit of his career. ^[12] He slashed .165/.229/.330 in his first 31 MLB games to conclude the campaign.^[13]