Samuel Basallo

Basallo was placed on the 10-day IL Wednesday with right shoulder inflammation — his first IL stint in the majors. He initially hoped to avoid the IL after leaving Sunday's game vs. Houston in the second inning, but the inflammation required extended rest. No specific return timeline has been given.

Multiple second-half breakout lists this week targeted Basallo as the sleeper catcher of the second half. The young Orioles backstop has elite underlying metrics — he's been described as one of the most dangerous hitters in the game when locked in — and at catcher with only ~22% ownership, there's no risk in stashing him. The Orioles have a strong lineup around him and a favorable second-half schedule. Buy for pennies now and revisit in August.

Basallo is the type of catcher dynasty managers dream about and redraft owners undervalue — strong power, 12.2% barrel rate, and Statcast metrics projecting him to outperform his surface line (.256/.320/.465, 14 HR): 82nd percentile in xSLG (.478), 83rd percentile in average exit velocity, 67th percentile in xwOBA (.342). In a competitive Baltimore lineup, he has run support and second-half upside into the 30-HR range by season's end. In leagues with catcher scarcity, he is an immediate add at only 28% ownership.

OBP 0.234 → .316 (Δ +0.082)

OBP 0.234 → .313 (Δ +0.079)