In two days, the Orioles have added two of their top prospects to the major league roster. A day after outfielder Dylan Beavers, their third-ranked prospect, made his major league debut, their top prospect, catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo, will make his against the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Basallo is not only the eighth-ranked prospect in all of baseball, but he’s the first of the Orioles’ Latin American prospects signed under executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias to make it to the majors.
The 21-year-old hit .270 with a .966 OPS, 23 home runs and 67 RBIs in 76 games at Triple-A Norfolk. He caught 33 games and played 20 at first and started 21 games at designated hitter.
Basallo is the designated hitter and batting sixth against the Astros on Sunday.
Beavers was 1-for-5 in the Orioles’ 5-4 loss to Houston in 12 innings on Saturday night. He’s batting eighth and playing left field on Sunday.
Outfielder Colton Cowser was activated from the 7-day concussion injured list.
Adding Basallo, Beavers and Cowser to the lineup will give the Orioles a much deeper look.
Outfielder Daniel Johnson and first baseman/outfielder Ryan Noda were optioned to Norfolk after Saturday night’s game.
To make room for Basallo on the 40-man roster, Zach Eflin, who will have back surgery on Monday, has been transferred to the 60-day injured list.
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