For several days late in the season, the Orioles had three catchers on the roster. Will that continue in 2026?
The Orioles will have 13 position players to begin next season. Using three of those spots on catchers might seem unwise, but Samuel Basallo’s left-handed bat and ability to play first base and Adley Rutschman’s switch-hitting could find them in the same lineup often.
Having a third catcher could give the Orioles’ manager maneuverability and ensure they wouldn’t lose a designated hitter later in the game.
In 2025, the Orioles used a franchise-record seven catchers. From June 20th-July 6th, an unprecedented four Oriole catchers — Rutschman, Maverick Handley, Chadwick Tromp and Gary Sánchez went on the injured list. The Orioles signed major league veteran Jacob Stallings and traded for another veteran, Alex Jackson, to provide some stability.
Stallings, who had been released by Colorado on June 6th and signed to a minor league contract by the Orioles on June 24th, was hurriedly promoted a few days later. Although he hit just .114 with three RBIs in 14 games, Stallings did provide solid defense, handling pitchers well and throwing out three of nine baserunners attempting to steal.
Stallings was especially helpful to left-hander Trevor Rogers, whom he caught regularly in Miami. In his three starts caught by Stallings, Rogers allowed just one run in 20 1/3 innings.
Initially, Stallings was paired with Sánchez, but when Sánchez suffered what turned out to be a season-ending knee injury on July 5th, the Orioles needed still another catcher.
They had already decided they didn’t want to rush Basallo to the majors, and he remained at Triple-A Norfolk.
The morning after Sánchez’s injury, the Orioles acquired Jackson from the New York Yankees in exchange for international bonus pool space and either a minor league player to be named later or cash.
Jackson had already played with Atlanta, Miami, Milwaukee and Tampa Bay. In his most extensive big league exposure, the 29-year-old hit just .122 in 58 games for the Rays in 2024.
He surprised the Orioles by hitting .220 with a .763 OPS, five home runs and eight RBIs in 36 games.
When Rutschman was ready to play in late July after his first oblique strain, someone had to go, and it was Stallings.
Jackson stayed with the Orioles when they promoted Basallo on August 17th, and that proved invaluable because Rutschman returned to the IL for another oblique strain almost immediately. He didn’t play again until the final week of the season when the roster had increased to 28, allowing 14 position players.
In his limited time with the Orioles, Jackson showed some power. Thirteen of his 20 hits were for extra bases (eight doubles and five home runs).
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Jackson became the first player since 1900 to have extra-base hits in his first 10 hits for a new team.
The Orioles were 14-13 in games Jackson started, and his caught-stealing percentage of 29.2 percent (7 of 24) was the best on the club. Pitchers had an ERA of 4.67 when he caught.
Let’s say Basallo, Rutschman, infielders Gunnar Henderson, Jackson Holliday, Coby Mayo and Jordan Westburg, and outfielders Dylan Beavers, Colton Cowser and Tyler O’Neill are healthy and ready to play to begin the 2026 season. That leaves four openings. One would go to a utility player, perhaps Jeremiah Jackson, who won’t be guaranteed a job.
With the remaining three spots, the Orioles could go with another infielder, but as interim manager Tony Mansolino pointed out, if Henderson, Holliday and Westburg are injury-free, that won’t leave much playing time for a utility infielder.
The Orioles need to sign two outfielders in addition to Jeremiah Jackson, who played right field and third base.
Depending on whom the Orioles acquire to play the outfield, it seems that there’s room for both Alex and Jeremiah Jackson.
Alex Jackson was the sixth overall pick in the 2014 draft by Seattle as an outfielder, and it wasn’t until his fourth season in professional ball that Atlanta converted him to a catcher.
The Orioles must offer arbitration to Jackson, which seems a given since his projected salary is just $1.8 million.
At the worst, he could be a trade chip next spring if the Orioles decide not to go with three catchers. At best, he could be a valuable chip for whomever is managing in 2026.
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