Baltimore Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman looked like a cornerstone piece after earning All-Star honors 2023 and 2024, but 2025 was a step back on multiple fronts. 

The 6-foot-1, 230-pounder played just 90 games due to two oblique strains, and he logged career-lows in batting average (.220) and OPS (.673). Additionally, the Orioles gave fellow catcher Samuel Basallo an eight-year, $67 million extension in August. The latter player was their top prospect at the time.

However, Rutschman is the early standout of the two in 2026. After Monday's 2-1 win over the Chicago White Sox, the 28-year-old is slashing .292/.414/.458 with two RBIs, while Basallo is slashing .148/.207/.259 with one homer and one RBI.

Rutschman is under team control through next season, but the Orioles are more committed to Basallo long-term as of now. Still, the club may want to rethink that plan if these offensive results continue.

Although Rutschman had a down year in 2025, he was one of the best catchers in baseball beforehand. The 2019 No. 1 overall pick logged an .800-plus OPS in 2022 and 2023 before slashing .250/.318/.391 with 19 homers and 79 RBIs in 2024.

However, Basallo was simultaneously a minor-league star for the Orioles. They signed the native Dominican as an international free agent in 2021 and won the Top MLB Prospect Award after his Single-A campaign in 2023. He then slashed .289/.355/.465 in Double-A in 2024 and .270/.377/.589 in Triple-A last year before getting called up in August.

Basallo slashed just .165/.229/.330 over 31 big-league games to end the 2025 campaign, and he hasn't found his form yet this season. The rookie has plenty of time to do so, but Rutschman is playing more like the player they should commit to long-term behind the dish.

At a certain point, it will be awkward to have both players on the team given that they play the same position. On paper, Rutschman makes more sense as the win-now piece given his age and resume. But that could change if Basallo turns it around this season.

Rutschman got the start against the White Sox on Monday, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a run scored. The switch-hitter didn't have a flashy game, but his walk and run scored were crucial to Baltimore's victory. He now has eight games played against Basallo's seven.

Up next for the Orioles is the second game of their series against the White Sox on Tuesday at 3:10 p.m. ET.