MLB Weekly Digest: Orioles Call Up and Extend Top Prospect, Phillies Ace Out For Season

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This week in MLB featured the Baltimore Orioles calling up and extending their top catching prospect, the Phillies ace undergoing season-ending surgery, and the Tampa Bay Rays calling up their top prospect.

Orioles call up and extend Basallo –

The Baltimore Orioles called up and extended top catching prospect Samuel Basallo this week. Basallo, 21, was called up to the majors on Aug 17, and made his major league debut the same day.

Basallo was ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 8 prospect and slashed .270/.377/.589 with an OPS of .966 at Triple A in 2025.

Friday, the Orioles cemented Basallo as part of their future, signing him to an eight-year, $67 million contract extension that runs through the 2034 season.

BREAKING: Catcher Samuel Basallo and the Baltimore Orioles are finalizing an eight-year, $67 million contract extension, sources tell ESPN. Basallo, who just turned 21, is one of the best prospects in baseball, and less than a week after being called up, he has a long-term deal.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 22, 2025

The contract can be valued up to $88.5 million, including incentives, and includes a team option for 2034.

The annual breakdown of Samuel Basallo’s 8-year extension with #Orioles, according to a source:

’26: $1M
’27: $1M
’28: $1M
’29: $4M
’30: $7M
’31: $11M
’32: $15M
’33: $15M

’34: $18M team option or $7M buyout

$5 million signing bonus

— Jake Rill (@JakeDRill) August 22, 2025

Basallo, through six games, has gone 5/21 with five RBI in 22 plate appearances. With Adley Rustchman still in the fold, this extension has put his future in Baltimore in jeopardy.

Zack Wheeler is done for the season-

Philadelphia Phillies ace Zack Wheeler will miss the rest of the season. He was diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome and has been recommended to undergo surgery, which would cause him to miss 6-8 months, according to the team.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 23, 2025

The Phillies’ World Series odds took a massive hit as ace RHP Zack Wheeler will miss the remainder of the 2025 season with thoracic outlet syndrome.

Surgery will be needed for Wheeler as a disorder formed, which pinched a vein and caused blood clots to form in his right throwing shoulder. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training in 2026.

Wheeler, 35, was in the race for the Cy-Young award this season, pitching to a 2.71 ERA with a 10-5 W/L, 195 K, 0.935 WHIP in 24 GS and 149 2/3 IP.

The right-hander is expected to undergo surgery and miss 6-8 months.

The Phillies, who are currently seven games up on the New York Mets in the NL East division race, lose their ace a month before the postseason.

Aaron Nola, Christopher Sanchez, and Ranger Suarez will be expected to step up for big innings throughout the playoffs.

Tampa Bay calls up Carson Williams –

The Tampa Bay Rays called up top shortstop prospect Carson Williams on Thursday.

The Tampa Bay Rays are calling up shortstop Carson Williams, the No. 24 prospect in all of baseball, sources tell ESPN. Williams, 22, has an elite glove and serious power and projects to be the long-term starter in one of the best young left sides of the infield in baseball.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 21, 2025

Williams, 22, was ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 47 prospect and slashed .213/.318/.447 with an OPS of .765 in 111 games at Triple-A Durham.

The Rays have been tasked with filling a hole at shortstop since the unexpected actions of Wander Franco, and Williams is expected to fill that hole.

Williams went 2/4 in his major league debut with a home run, showcasing his immense power potential.

A DEBUT DINGER WE LOVE TO SEE IT pic.twitter.com/Xnl1B6QuaQ

— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 23, 2025

About Post Author

Michael Bodzenta

Growing up in Cleveland, Ohio, I fell in love with sports from a young age. Whether I was playing them throughout high school or in the yard with my friends, I knew I had found something I loved. Watching them was also a main part of my childhood, as I could name almost every player on all three Cleveland sports teams. Talking about sports is something I can do for hours, so as I got older, I quickly realized that I knew what I wanted to do. I started writing about sports and talking about sports in high school. It was fun and easy for me. My dream goal would be to become baseball analyst, covering breaking news and other stories in the sport. I've written numerous articles about sports including the Browns and the Guardians. I currently write for Kent Wired, where I expanded my knowledge to cover Health and Fitness. I have experience with Adobe Photoshop, Premier, and Audition. I work as the social media manager/representative for the Kent State Club Baseball team creating graphics mostly on Instagram and some on Twitter (X) . The goal of this is to get more engagement for the team, create awareness, and raise money. I also currently coach for a 17u travel baseball organization (Midwest Stars) out of Hudson, Ohio. Through this I have been able to continue my love for the game, give back to the community, and strengthen my leadership qualities. My passion for sports especially baseball remains unquestioned and I strive to continue to report on something I love.

mbodzent@kent.edu

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