HOUSTON — Samuel Basallo’s power propelled him up the minor league ladder and prospect rankings. He’ll need to show it off just a bit more if he wants his first career home run.
In the seventh inning of his MLB debut Sunday, Basallo appeared to smack his first career hit — a home run to right field — to extend the Orioles’ blowout over the Astros. But Houston right fielder Jesús Sánchez jumped at the warning track and reached into the stands to steal the achievement from the 21-year-old top prospect.
That didn’t end Basallo’s day, though. He got another chance to record his first MLB hit in the eighth, and he came through with a two-run single to put the Orioles up 12-0. Facing reliever Enyel De Los Santos, Basallo ripped a 2-1 fastball for a 101.1 mph line drive single through the infield, bringing home Jordan Westburg and Gunnar Henderson.
Basallo ended his day 1-for-4 with two RBIs and a hit by pitch. It marked the second straight day an Orioles prospect made his MLB debut after Dylan Beavers did so Saturday and went 1-for-4.
SAMUEL BASALLO’S FIRST HIT
— Baltimore Orioles (@Orioles) August 17, 2025
Basallo’s near home run, which had an exit velocity of 95 mph and traveled 350 feet, would have resulted in a three-run homer had Sánchez not robbed it. Basallo was rounding first and heading for second when Sánchez showed he had the ball, and the Orioles youngster removed his helmet in disappointment. Statcast ruled that Basallo’s flyout would’ve been a home run in five of 30 MLB ballparks, but not Camden Yards — and not Daikin Park with Sánchez in right field.
Making Sánchez’s home run robbery more impressive is that it wasn’t his first of the afternoon. Sánchez, whom the Astros acquired from the Miami Marlins at the trade deadline, also stole a grand slam away from Henderson in the third inning, resulting in a sacrifice fly.
Basallo, who learned of his promotion Saturday in a phone call with his father, was hit by a pitch in his first plate appearance. He also popped out in foul territory and grounded into a double play.
Jesús Sánchez robbed a grand slam earlier and just robbed a 3-run homer. pic.twitter.com/UBBUGKTYot
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) August 17, 2025
This article will be updated. Have a news tip? Contact Jacob Calvin Meyer at jameyer@baltsun.com, 410-332-6200 and x.com/JCalvinMeyer.