Very early extensions like the one the Baltimore Orioles gave Samuel Basallo have a mixed track record. Yes, there have been some notable success stories including Corbin Carroll, Bobby Witt Jr., and Ronald Acuña Jr., but there have also been some that really didn't work out including Evan White, Scott Kingery, and Jon Singleton. However, an extension that surprisingly came on Christmas Day is making the Orioles' choice look even better.
Basallo is no sure thing and that may explain owner David Rubenstein's initial thoughts on the extension. However, that the A's of all teams gave Tyler Soderstrom an extension that was announced on Christmas gives hope that Baltimore may have gotten a bargain.