Young Orioles slugger just named one of top impact rookies ahead of the 2026 season

As we look ahead to the 2026 season, there are several young players who could be X-factors for the Baltimore Orioles. A return to the postseason for the Orioles will depend on at least one of these youngsters playing up to their pedigrees and realizing their true potential.

Jackson Holliday was a favorite in this category (and still could be) before his hand injury, and young outfielders like Dylan Beavers and Colton Cowser could also prove to be game changers if they play up to expectations. But it's a different, even younger player who could make all the difference.

MLB insider Jim Bowden named Samuel Basallo (subscription required) as one of the top impact rookies to watch this spring, and for good reason. The 21-year-old ranks eighth on MLB Pipeline's top-100 prospects, and with a little big league seasoning already under his belt, his loud tools could prove to be a difference maker for Baltimore in 2026.

Orioles prospect Samuel Basallo named a top impact rookie for 2026

Basallo's brief big league stint last year didn't go as planned. After dominating at Triple-A Norfolk to the tune of a .270/.377/.589 line with 23 homers in just 76 games, the top prospect was called up just four days after his 21st birthday to replace an injured Adley Rutschman behind the dish.

The Orioles handed him an eight-year, $67 million contract extension just days into his call-up, showing how irrelevant they believed it was for him to have success right out of the gate. So while Basallo hit just .165/.229/.330 in the bigs, there were still things to be excited by.

Chief among them was his 75.5 miles per hour average bat speed, which shows you why folks are excited about him. Bowden noted how this plays out in the real world, writing, "Make sure to bring earplugs when watching Basallo take batting practice because he makes loud, consistent contact with elite exit velocity. His power is to all fields with tremendous backspin."

The young phenom took his offseason training seriously, reportedly slimming down to get quicker while building up his stamina. Just thinking about a young player taking such a mature approach to prepare for the regular season should have you excited.

While his emergence briefly caused a stir that Rutschman may be traded over the offseason, that did not come to pass, and the Orioles plan to use both catchers regularly. The veteran will handle the lion's share of the catching duties, while the youngster will fill in occasionally, but will primarily serve as the DH.

That's another reason to believe he'll make an impact. By all accounts, his bat is far ahead of his glove, and by liberating himself of defensive concerns most nights, he can focus on turning his tools into production in the batter's box.

Long-term, the thought is that Basallo sticks behind the plate, with Mike Elias saying via Bowden, “Basallo is a gifted young power hitter with huge arm strength and a great aptitude for catching.”

In the meantime, if he only scratches the surface of his offensive potential, he can be a force to be reckoned with, which will make an improved Baltimore lineup that much deeper and more effective.

Spring training isn't the end all be all, but it will be interesting to watch how he adapts and adjusts during the warm-up period. The stronger the showing, the more you should raise your hopes that he'll dominate in 2026.