Orioles' Samuel Basallo has a chance at a Johnny Bench all-time record

Orioles' Samuel Basallo has a chance at a Johnny Bench all-time record originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Samuel Basallo was an incredibly hyped prospect, but his first foray into the major leagues last year didn't quite show off his supposedly impressive bat.

No problem. The Baltimore Orioles catcher is raking this season, and he's chasing a Johnny Bench record.

Bench has the best single-season slugging percentage by a catcher since World War II among players aged 21 or younger.

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This is Basallo's age-21 season, so he's eligible to break the mark.

Bench's record stands at a .487 slugging percentage.

Basallo enters Wednesday's action with a .487 slugging.

Highest slugging percentage by a qualified catcher 21 or younger since World War II:

Johnny Bench, .487

Orioles' Samuel Basallo has a .487 slugging percentage so far this season.— Matt Weyrich (@ByMattWeyrich) May 27, 2026

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Clearly, there's a lot of season left, but this comparison already emphasizes the hitting talent that Basallo has. Even the chance to chase after a Bench record is impressive in its own right.

Basallo has also helped raise the ongoing question of what the Orioles do with Adley Rutschman. Do they keep two strong catchers on the roster and use the DH spot on one of them frequently? Or could a Rutschman trade be the eventual conclusion here?

If Basallo keeps hitting like Bench, the one obvious thing is that he'll remain in the lineup any time he's available. Baltimore's young catcher is a special talent.