Orioles Catching Prospects Present the Organization with a Dilemma
Since the beginning of the 2019 season, the Baltimore Orioles have selected 15 catchers in the draft and signed 16 others through international free agency. Among this group, three stand out as having the potential to shape the team’s future behind the plate: Adley Rutschman, Samuel Basallo, and Creed Willems. Rutschman, who debuted in 2022, has consistently ranked among the top ten catchers in the league. Meanwhile, Basallo and Willems continue their development in the minor leagues at Triple-A Norfolk and Double-A Chesapeake, respectively.
Strong Performances by Orioles Prospects Are Prompting Organizational Decisions
In the 2025 season, Samuel Basallo has been impressive, posting a .245 batting average with a .350 on-base percentage and a .559 slugging percentage, along with 14 extra-base hits over 30 games. He has tallied 29 strikeouts and drawn 17 walks across 119 plate appearances. Despite battling right elbow inflammation earlier in the year, which limited him to designated hitter duties, Basallo has continued to produce at the plate.
Although a level below Basallo, Creed Willems is also making waves. Through 38 games, he’s hitting .272 with a strong .863 OPS, including six home runs and 11 doubles. Willems has divided his time among catcher (16 games), first base (11 games), and designated hitter (11 games) for the Chesapeake Baysox.
At the major league level, Adley Rutschman has struggled to regain his earlier form. So far this season, he’s hitting just .211 with a .659 OPS. This marks a significant drop-off from his impressive .809 OPS during his first full MLB season.
Future Outlook for Orioles Catching Prospects
Samuel Basallo could be on track for a major league call-up around the All-Star break, assuming he maintains his current performance. On the other hand, Creed Willems likely remains a couple of years away from reaching the big leagues. If Basallo debuts in 2026 and continues to excel, it may influence how the Orioles handle the catching situation, possibly reshaping the roles of all three players.
Exploring Possible Solutions
The Orioles may need to make a tough decision to resolve the logjam. One option could involve trading Creed Willems, particularly to a team in search of a long-term catcher, such as the Minnesota Twins or Pittsburgh Pirates. This would allow Basallo to share catching and first base duties with Rutschman and fellow prospect Coby Mayo. Alternatively, the Orioles might opt to trade Mayo—who can play both first and third base—allowing Willems to take over at first while Basallo splits time at catcher with Rutschman. Both scenarios hinge on the organization extending Rutschman’s contract, securing him as the team’s long-term solution behind the plate.
