Don't sleep on Orioles catching prospect Ethan Anderson as answer to catching depth problem

Like many big league clubs, the Baltimore Orioles are in need of MLB-level catchers heading into 2027. After dealing franchise catcher Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox, the Orioles decided that it was time to head in a new direction with one of the most important positions on the field. Although it appears that Samuel Basallo will be given plenty of time to earn the starting spot, fast-rising prospect Ethan Anderson could become an interesting option moving forward. 

Anderson was recently named as the Orioles Prospect of the Year by MLB.com. That alone is a notable feat for any young player. But it becomes even more impressive considering that Anderson missed over a month due to an ankle injury in the middle of the season. After returning to action in August, Anderson immediately picked up where left off before the injury. He belted seven home runs to go alongside his 22 RBI in his final 25 games of the season. 

With a .919 OPS across three minor league levels in all of 2026, Anderson has shown an ability to handle himself with the bat. The 2024 second-round pick has also proven to have a very solid understanding of the strike zone, and his approach at the plate demonstrates that. He doesn’t possess elite plate discipline, but he is more than capable of drawing walks and putting the ball in play. In 727 career at-bats in the minor leagues, Anderson has only struck out 155 times.  

Thanks to his strong showing this season, the 23-year-old could be the answer for the Orioles’ need for catching depth. He may not scream “can’t-miss prospect” on paper, but Anderson has the tools to become a very solid player for years to come. 

Ethan Anderson has given the Orioles another option behind the plate   

Last year, Anderson turned some heads with an impressive performance in the Arizona Fall League. Playing against some of the best prospects in all of baseball, Anderson sported an impressive .300/.398/.443 slash line in 70 at-bats for the Peoria Javelinas. He even led the team in doubles with seven. Anderson then carried that success into the 2026 season. 

It remains to be seen if he can continue his development next year. But at the very least, he gives the Orioles something they have been looking for all season. Carlos Narváez struggled mightily in his brief time with Baltimore in 2026. It’s not likely that he’ll be included in the team’s long-term plans at catcher. That’s where Anderson can step in.  

Due to his ongoing injury concerns, it’s still too early to determine if Basallo is the long-term answer at catcher for the Orioles. While he has shown a real knack for blocking balls in the dirt and even throwing out base stealers at a decent clip, Basallo still struggles to frame pitches, which can cost his pitching staff a strike or two. He ranked as the 5th worst catcher at framing in all of baseball. But at just 22 years old, he has plenty of time for his defensive game to develop. 

According to Fangraphs, Basallo projects to be a valuable ball player for the Orioles well into the future. Whether or not he remains at catcher, he should hit at least 20 home runs a season while driving in 80 runs. That still leaves the door wide open for Anderson to become an asset on the team. Like Basallo behind the plate, Anderson is not known as a premium defender. However, scouts believe that Anderson could eventually develop into an average catcher over time. 

At the worst, Anderson could provide the Orioles with a high-floor, low-ceiling backup catcher that is more than capable of producing at the plate. But given his steady progression over the last 12 months, he could continue to surprise people in 2027.    

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