SARASOTA–What’s happening? After watching Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson, Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser, Heston Kjerstad, Grayson Rodriguez and Jackson Holliday come through spring training the previous three years, there’s only one intriguing prospect in this year’s camp — catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo.
The 20-year-old has impressed everyone in camp, including manager Brandon Hyde and his new bench coach, longtime major league catcher Robinson Chirinos, who mentored Rutschman when he was called to the major leagues in 2022.
In 2024, Basallo wasn’t allowed to catch because of an elbow injury and was allowed to take a few at-bats in March Grapefruit League games.
“I want him to get the experience of major league camp,” Hyde said. “Last year, he was here, but he wasn’t playing. Getting in some major league spring training games behind the plate, getting at-bats against major league arms and just kind of soaking it in a little bit.
“Just being around Adley and Gary Sánchez and Chirinos and [catching coach Tim Cossins] and listening every single day defensively … Him being around, kind of taking it all in. He’s going to get a lot of at-bats.”
Hyde likes the 6-foot-4 catcher, who won’t turn 21 until August 13th.
“I’ve been impressed; the size is obvious,” he said. “Just how easy he does things, how easy he throws … For 20 years old to be this advanced is incredibly impressive.”
Chirinos agrees.
“Today we had a meeting with him,” he said on Saturday. “Every question he asked was in English. He was responding in English to the questions. Everyone knows around here he’s a talented player.
“I think he’s going to be an impact player in this organization. Close, soon. Hopefully, he can stay healthy, be able to continue his development as a player, especially in a position where you get so much thrown early in your career as a big leaguer. We’re excited. He’s close. He’s talented. He’s going to help this team. Only God knows when that’s going to happen, but he’s in a good spot right now.”
What’s happened? Position players are due to report by Monday, and Hyde said he had seen all but one or two. Non-roster infielder Vimael Machin and outfielder Franklin Barreto haven’t been in the clubhouse during times it was open to the media.
Dean Kremer threw in the bullpen along with reliever Andrew Kittredge. Rookie right-hander Brandon Young also threw along with Bryan Baker and non-roster right-hander Corbin Martin.
Cade Povich and relievers Yennier Cano, Seranthony Domínguez, Cionel Pérez, Gregory Soto and non-roster right-hander Rodolfo Martínez threw live batting practice in Ed Smith Stadium.
What’s up with? Maverick Handley is in his third camp as a non-roster catcher. Handley, a sixth-round pick in the 2019 draft, hit just .202 in 84 games with Triple-A Norfolk and spent part of the year as a taxi squad catcher for the Orioles.
It’s likely the Orioles would keep Basallo at Norfolk if there was an injury to a catcher early in the season, and perhaps Handley could get his chance to play in the major leagues.
“Last year, James McCann takes a fastball to the face,” Handley said. “The guy stays in. It’s unbelievable how tough he is. I don’t expect anything else. James McCann is that guy to do that. I look at it like, ‘dang, technically that could have been an opportunity.’ Good for that guy for staying, but a fastball to the face doesn’t even do it.
“Frustrating last year.I didn’t perform the way I wanted to. I started the season off pretty well, ran into some injuries, kind of spiraled on me, but I picked up towards the end of the season. Still showed what I felt I was really good at, which is defense.”
What’s what? The early days of spring training feature a handful of local Baltimore reporters, but this year, it’s a much larger media group because of the presence of Japanese right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano.
On Sunday, his second day with the Orioles, about a dozen Japanese reporters conducted a lengthy interview with Sugano, who might have a bullpen session on Monday. After the interview, they had an off-the-record chat with him. Sugano has an interpreter, Yuto Sakurui, and a massage therapist.
What’s the word? “I wouldn’t recommend standing behind the fence in right-center or dead center or left-center for that matter. It’s been really fun. He’s a monster. I’ve seen him now since he was 18, maybe even 17. First time I went to the Dominican and saw him. He was hitting home runs there, and I was like,‘oh boy.’ I don’t like to comp guys yet, but he’s got a chance to be really special.”-Sherman Johnson, assistant hitting coach,on Basallo.
What’s the number? 7. “Back in offseason ’21, I got two offers to play and I got five offers to be a coach,” Chirinos said. “That’s when you know you’re close to being a coach when you get more phone calls in the offseason to coach.”