The Baltimore Orioles took Adley Rutschman first overall in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft, as he was set to be a key part of Baltimore’s future.
Yet, the catcher has taken a step back this season, and his future with the team is murky. Baltimore drafted two catchers early in the 2025 MLB draft, and insider Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic believes Baltimore’s interest in signing him to a long-term deal is waning.
“The Orioles’ selections of two players listed as catchers with their first two draft picks did not reflect a lack of confidence in Adley Rutschman, according to a source briefed on the club’s thinking,” Rosenthal wrote. “Still, 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, also is a catcher.”
Baltimore drafted Ike Irish at No. 19, who’s a catcher and outfielder, while the Orioles then took Caden Bodine at No. 30, who’s strictly a catcher. Those two picks could hinder Rutschman’s future with the Orioles if he doesn’t start to play better.
Rutschman is earning $5.5 million this season and has two more years of club control before becoming a free agent after the 2027 season.
Rutschman is currently injured, but this season, he’s hitting .227 with 8 home runs and 20 RBIs. He’s a two-time MLB All-Star.
