Baltimore Orioles' Injured Star Prospect Expects Return in Showcase Event
By now, just about everyone who follows Major League Baseball closely knows what the Baltimore Orioles have done with their pipeline.
They've reaped the benefit of drafting and developing Adley Rutschman, Gunnar Henderson and Jackson Holliday into the No. 1 rated prospects in all of baseball.
Holliday is expected to make his MLB debut at some point this season even if he doesn't make the Opening Day roster.
There were some whispers that the Orioles might have another superstar talent in their farm system who could find himself at the top of lists like his predecessors.
MLB Pipeline's updated rankings reflect that as 19-year-old Samuel Basallo is listed as the 17th-best prospect in the sport.
He dominated the minor league affiliate levels he was at last season, posting a slash line of .313/.402/.551 with 20 home runs, 53 extra-base hits and 86 RBI across 114 games.
Baltimore fans thought they might get to see how the youngster would look against Major League competition this year as he was a non-rostered invite to camp.
However, it was revealed he was dealing with a stress fracture in his arm that ultimately has limited what he can do during Spring Training.
But, Basallo thinks he might be able to return for a new showcase event this year that Major League Baseball is putting together called Spring Breakout.
"I sure hope so ... and I think those are the plans as of right now," he said about appearing in the March 14 game according to Roch Kubatko of MASN.
The good news for the Orioles is that Basallo is progressing well.
He was able to take live batting practice recently for the first time, suggesting that he could be getting closer to returning to live action.
"I felt really good and I feel really good overall. I was just really happy that I was able to return and play again," he said.
While facing some of the top prospects in minor league baseball certainly isn't the same as seeing what he can do against MLB talent, it will still be a great opportunity for him to face some of the best players he might be competing against in the bigs one day.
