Orioles catcher Samuel Basallo has agreed to an eight-year, $67 million contract extension, according to reports. The club has not confirmed.
Interim manager Tony Mansolino said he expects Basallo to catch about five or six times during this eight-game homestand featuring four-game series against the Astros and Red Sox. It’s still possible Basallo will get a start at designated hitter and/or first base during that time, though his catching workload will increase in Rutschman’s stead.
Basallo now has a great opportunity to showcase his improved defensive skills. The 6-foot-4 slugger’s best tool is his bat, while his catching was an area he developed in the upper levels of the Minor Leagues in recent years.
It hasn’t taken long for Basallo to get comfortable in the Majors. He made his Camden Yards debut on Thursday, and before the game, he met with a large contingent of local media — and he did the interview in English after previously utilizing team interpreter Brandon Quinones up to this point in his brief MLB career.
“I just feel great. Great to be here. Just happy to be here,” Basallo said. “Just excited and just ready to give my 100 percent every time.”
