Baltimore’s Catcher Conundrum: Who Will Steer the Orioles Behind the Plate?
The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2025 MLB All-Star Break in a state of disappointment, capped by a series loss at home to the Miami Marlins that left them with a 43-52 record and seven and a half games out of the American League’s final Wild Card spot. Injuries have been the defining theme of Baltimore’s season, with the club’s catching corps particularly hard-hit. The Orioles’ top four catchers, Adley Rutschman, Gary Sánchez, Maverick Handley, and Chadwick Tromp, all find themselves on the injured list, which has forced manager Tony Mansolino and the team to cycle through a patchwork of replacements and emergency call-ups. This instability behind the plate has only fueled fan anticipation for the Major League debut of Samuel Basallo, the 20-year-old star prospect at Triple-A Norfolk.
Basallo’s performance with the Norfolk Tides has been electrifying. Through the first half of the season, he posted a .264 batting average with 19 home runs and 48 RBIs, numbers that would make him a clear candidate for promotion on most teams. Yet, despite the Orioles’ glaring need at catcher and Basallo’s offensive prowess, the front office, led by Mike Elias, has refrained from calling him up. This decision has left many fans and analysts puzzled, especially as the Orioles’ season teeters on the brink. Some speculate that the organization is prioritizing Basallo’s development, not wanting to thrust him into a struggling Major League lineup amid a turbulent season. Others point to the club’s conservative approach with top prospects, a hallmark of Elias’ tenure, which emphasizes long-term player growth over short-term fixes.
Complicating matters is the performance of Adley Rutschman, who, after a stellar start to his career, has struggled since the second half of 2024. Rutschman’s offensive numbers dipped sharply last year, and while he showed flashes of his old self on Opening Day this season, his consistency has remained elusive. With Rutschman eligible for free agency after the 2027 season, the debate in Baltimore has shifted: Is Basallo the true catcher of the future, or will Rutschman regain his form and remain the franchise cornerstone? The Orioles’ reluctance to promote Basallo may be a sign that they are not ready to make that decision just yet, preferring to let the competition play out over time rather than rush a verdict in a season already marred by injuries and unmet expectations.
