Baltimore Orioles Could Make Adley Rutschman, Samuel Basallo Decision in 2026

The Baltimore Orioles have sky high expectations in 2026 after their very strong offseason, signing Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley and trading for Shane Baz and Taylor Ward.

By adding Alonso and Ward to a core of Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser and Dylan Beavers, Baltimore should have one of the best offenses in baseball. Players such as Henderson and Westburg have already proved how good they can be when healthy, but there are certain players that still have a lot to prove in 2026, those being Adley Rutschman and Samuel Basallo. 

Rutschman (27), a former top prospect and number one overall who pick bursted onto the scene after a legendary College World Series performance at Oregon State prompted Baltimore to select him with their first overall pick. 

Rutschman shot up the ranks in the minor leagues with his .873 career OPS, where he displayed his talent as a switch hitter and lockdown defensive abilities behind the plate. 

The switch-hitting catcher made his MLB debut on May 21, 2022 where his first career hit was a triple. Rutschman finished his rookie season with an .806 OPS and a career high 5.4 WAR, placing second in American League Rookie of the Year voting behind Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez. 

Rutschman would carry his 2022 success over to the 2023 and 2024 seasons, where he made consecutive All-Star games. However, Rutschman has not been the same player since. 

Rutschman's 2025 season was a disaster, as he only played on 90 games with a slash line of .220/.307/.366, which equates to a .673 OPS. 

Rutschman's disappointing 2025 season has left a sour taste in Orioles fans' mouths, especially with top catching prospect Samuel Basallo hanging in the balance. 

Basallo (21), has had a much different path to the MLB than Rutschman, as he was an international free agent signing in January of 2021. 

Basallo posses a raw power trait that very few catchers have, making his upside impossible to ignore. 

Baltimore's front office realized this potential, extending Basallo to an eight-year, $67 million dollar contract in August -- something that the front office has yet to do with Rutschman. 

Like Rutschman, Basallo shot up the ranks in the minor leagues, as his ridiculous .966 OPS at Triple-A was first amongst catchers at that level. 

Basallo was called up to the major leagues on August 17, 2025 where he recorded a two-RBI single for his first major league hit. 

These two catchers possess much different skill sets, as Rutschman is more of a contact on base guy, where as Basallo is a power hitter. 

Baltimore has a big decision to make this season as to who they want their franchise catcher to be. If you were to ask me this question three years ago, I'd call you insane. 

Or, could Baltimore keep and use both going forward?