Baltimore strengthens catcher depth with sneaky minor league signing

The Baltimore Orioles continue to prove they aren’t just building a contender — they're building a sustainable organization. Even at a position where they’re flush with talent, the O’s aren’t leaving anything to chance.

With three catchers in their Top 30 prospects — including 20-year-old phenom and No. 1 organizational prospect Samuel Basallo — the Orioles already possess enviable long-term depth behind the plate. And of course, Adley Rutschman remains firmly entrenched as the present and future at the major league level, already establishing himself as one of the game’s premier backstops. But elite depth doesn’t mean much if it’s not managed appropriately.

Confirmed by Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com, Baltimore’s latest signing of veteran catcher Chadwick Tromp to a minor league deal — might fly under the radar now, but could potentially pay dividends later in the season.

What the Orioles really gain from signing Chadwick Tromp

After being designated for assignment by the Atlanta Braves, Tromp found a new home with the Orioles, joining Triple-A Norfolk as a steady third option in the organizational pecking order. While David Bañuelos previously held that distinction, his major league experience amounts to a single plate appearance. Tromp, on the other hand, has logged 61 big league games across six seasons with the Giants and Braves — hardly deserving of national recognition, but definitely battle-tested.

Tromp’s career major league numbers are modest (.224/.267/.333 with five home runs and 22 RBIs), but his resume at the Triple-A level is encouraging. Over 11 minor league seasons, he’s posted a .253/.321/.396 slash line and slugged 58 home runs, showing a reliable bat and solid defensive ability. The kind of profile you want quietly waiting in the wings when the unexpected strikes.

And the unexpected may already be creeping in. Baltimore’s current backup catcher, Gary Sánchez, is off to a brutally slow start in his first season with the O's — just 1-for-15 through the opening two weeks. If those struggles persist, and if an injury or slump were to sideline Rutschman for any stretch, the Orioles would be faced with a difficult decision. Either force-feed a promotion to an unprepared prospect or rely on someone like Bañuelos who hasn’t proven himself at the highest level.

Basallo, though highly touted, is still rounding out his development at Triple-A and is currently nursing a hamstring injury. Other young options like Creed Williams and Ethan Anderson are much further away, still honing their skills in the lower levels of the minors. Rushing them now could stunt their growth and rob them of valuable reps in the batter’s box — something Baltimore’s front office has no intention of doing.

With Tromp now in Norfolk, the Orioles don’t have to panic if adversity hits. Instead, they’ve got a seasoned, competent veteran ready to step in and bridge the gap if needed — without compromising the long-term trajectory of their prized catching talent.