BALTIMORE -- Last week, the Orioles’ annual Birdland Caravan offseason tour provided the opportunity for new manager Craig Albernaz to get face time with a handful of his players.
The 5-foot-8 Albernaz would be the first to admit he looked even smaller standing next to the likes of Pete Alonso, Gunnar Henderson, Tyler Wells and others.
“All of those guys are big -- well, to me, everyone’s big,” Albernaz deadpanned.
But Albernaz was most surprised by the towering frame of 21-year-old Samuel Basallo.
“Basallo is a unit,” Albernaz said. “I didn’t realize, like, he’s a big dude.”
Listed at 6-foot-4, Basallo showed up to the Birdland Caravan a bit slimmer, having said he’s lost about 15 pounds this offseason. However, that’s unlikely to reduce his massive power -- a tool that drew plenty of attention to the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native when he was a non-roster invitee to big league Spring Training the past two years.
This year, Basallo is sure to put on more shows on the back fields of the Ed Smith Stadium complex in Sarasota, Fla., where the O’s are set to hold their first workout for pitchers and catchers on Feb. 11. Only this time, camp will be a bit different for Baltimore’s top prospect (who is ranked No. 8 overall by MLB Pipeline).
After getting his first taste of the Majors in 2025, Basallo is a lock for his first Opening Day roster in ‘26.
“I don’t know how different it’s going to feel yet,” Basallo said via team interpreter Brandon Quinones. “But I’m looking forward to going out there every day, working hard to earn my spot and doing what I can to help the team.”
Basallo had some struggles upon reaching the big leagues for the first time, hitting .165 with six doubles, four home runs, 15 RBIs and a .559 OPS over 31 games. He had 30 strikeouts and six walks across 118 plate appearances.
But there’s potential for Basallo to develop into a star. The Orioles believe that’s going to happen, hence why they signed the youngster to an eight-year, $67 million extension only six days into his MLB career.
If Basallo takes a big step forward in 2026, it should help Baltimore have a bounceback season after going 75-87 and finishing in last place in the American League East in ‘25.
The plan is for Basallo to be the O’s No. 2 catcher behind two-time All-Star Adley Rutschman. But the team will likely use both in the same lineup quite often, putting whomever isn’t catching at designated hitter.
“He’s an impactful player. And for us, there’s going to be at-bats to go around, and also, performance is going to dictate a lot,” Albernaz said. “For him, all the things I know -- all my conversations with him and the background on him -- he’s a competitor, and he wants to get better and he’s a team-first guy. When you have that makeup, he’s going to be just fine, and there’s going to be plenty of at-bats for him.”
Basallo can play first base as well, getting reps there in the Minor Leagues and making two starts at the position for the Orioles last season. However, Baltimore’s roster currently features Alonso, Ryan Mountcastle and Coby Mayo, and if neither Mountcastle nor Mayo gets traded, there may not be much available time for Basallo at first.
But Basallo isn’t ready to ditch his first baseman’s glove, just in case.
“I’m prepared to play wherever they want to put me at, even if that means time in the outfield,” Basallo joked. “Honestly, wherever they want me to go out and be able to play, I’m ready for it, whether it’s catcher, DH, wherever. I’m ready to go out there and help the team.”
As Basallo focused on conditioning this offseason, he put a large emphasis on hitting as well, though he didn’t divulge any specific changes or tweaks he’s made. But he’s confident his winter work will put him in a position to have big league success during the upcoming season.
Basallo also believes better results are ahead for Baltimore after a disappointing 2025 showing.
“I think we had a lot of injuries last year. I think this team is much more prepared,” Basallo said. “I think we’re feeling healthy and ready to go. So I think we’re looking a lot better.”