Adley Rutschman has been one of the Baltimore Orioles' best players since making his MLB debut in 2022. After getting drafted with the first pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Rutschman climbed the Orioles' minor league pipeline in two years to become the team's everyday catcher for the past four seasons. The switch-hitting catcher's 13 home runs and 42 RBIs in 113 games in 2022 helped Rutschman finish second in the AL Rookie of the Year award that year, losing to the Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez.
Orioles Could Be Moving on From Adley Rutschman After Recent Reports originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Adley Rutschman has been one of the Baltimore Orioles' best players since making his MLB debut in 2022.
After getting drafted with the first pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Rutschman climbed the Orioles' minor league pipeline in two years to become the team's everyday catcher for the past four seasons.
The switch-hitting catcher's 13 home runs and 42 RBIs in 113 games in 2022 helped Rutschman finish second in the AL Rookie of the Year award that year, losing to the Seattle Mariners' Julio Rodriguez. Rutschman was a back-to-back All-Star in 2023 and 2024.
This season has been rough for both Rutschman and the Orioles. He hasn't made an appearance in the lineup since June 19. He was placed on the team's injured list on June 21 due to an oblique strain and is expected to begin a rehab assignment in the minors this week. Baltimore is in last place in the AL East with a 44-54 record.
Meanwhile, reports indicate his name has been floating around in trade talks ahead of the MLB trade deadline at the end of July.
The Orioles selected two catchers with their first two picks in the recent draft: Auburn's Ike Irish with the No. 19 pick and Coastal Carolina's Caden Bodine with the No. 30 pick. In addition, it is worth noting that the Orioles top prospect, Samuel Basallo, also is a catcher.
The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal broke down the situation, specifically how the Orioles' deep well of elite catching prospects affects Rutschman.
"Rutschman’s long-term future in Baltimore is not as certain as it once appeared. He is under club control for only two more seasons. The Orioles’ interest in signing him to an extension might be waning. Their top prospect, Samuel Basallo, is also a catcher," Rosenthal said in an article on Monday.
Even before the injury, Rutschman was struggling this season. He has career lows in batting average (.227), slugging percentage (.372) and OPS (.691) in 68 games this season, and he could be on the verge of being sent out of Baltimore.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
