The Boston Red Sox will get their first look at a young slugger who could torment the American League East for a long time.

The Baltimore Orioles made a long-awaited announcement on Sunday when calling up Samuel Basallo. MLB.com’s No. 8 prospect and top-ranked catcher will start as Baltimore’s designated hitter for Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros.

Basallo received the news from his father, who told him over the phone. The Orioles shared a video of the emotional moment on social media.

Few, if any, hitting prospects possess as high a ceiling as Basallo. The 2021 international signee, who turned 21 on Wednesday, batted .270/.377/.589 with 23 home runs in 76 games at Triple-A Norfolk.

Basallo crushed the ball to a 94.2-mph average exit velocity that would match Juan Sot

See Full Page