MLB-NEWS: The Boston Reds have officially signed the all-star catcher from the Baltimore Orioles. A three-year, $146.4 million contract was reportedly inked following, according to a Reds insider.

In Bowie, Samuel Basallo on his strong year, trade rumors and the Futures Game

BOWIE, Md. – From the day they signed him to a big bonus, the largest in their international signing class in January of 2021, the Orioles envisioned this for catcher Samuel Basallo from the Dominican Republic.

Big arm and big power.

He’s thrown runners out as a catcher and mashed homers with big exit velocity with his massive raw power. He has done all that and more on the O’s watch. Last year he flew up prospects lists. He began the 2023 season as the No. 15 prospect on the O’s top 30 team list. Now that is the area he is ranked in on a top 100 list.

Basallo ended the 2023 season, one where he produced a .953 OPS between Low-A Delmarva, High-A Aberdeen and Double-A Bowie, ranked No. 46 in the top 100 by both Baseball America and MLBPipeline.com. Right now, he is No. 12 by MLBPipeline and No. 16 via Baseball America.

Everyone in the industry knows he’s one of baseball’s top prospects. And he is taking his talents to Arlington, Tex. on July 13 to represent the Orioles in the All-Star Futures Game.

By the way he is still a teenager at 19 and won’t turn 20 until Aug. 13.

In eight days, he will take his rightful place with the some of the best young talent in the game at Globe Life Field.