TAMPA, Fla. — Samuel Basallo walked up to the plate Monday for the first time in a major league spring training game, his last name on the back of his jersey — a telltale sign that a player is in major league camp.

It was by definition a debut — a very, very minor one at that — but more so a sign of things to come. Basallo, who now ranks as the Orioles’ No. 2 prospect, is rising quickly through the system. Monday, when he came in as the designated hitter in the eighth inning against the Yankees, was another steppingstone for him. He grounded out in the eighth and hit a flyout to left in the ninth.

“It was a really nice experience being able to go out there today,” Basallo said through Brandon Quinones, who translated the interview. “The real goal is being able to put it on once I get to the big leagues.”

With the track he’s on, that moment could come sooner than expected.

The Orioles always knew Basallo had the natural talent and the raw power; that’s why they signed him for $1.3 million in 2021, at the time the highest international signing bonus in franchise history. Last year at this time, he was in minor league spring training after having played only in rookie ball. He skyrocketed up three levels in 2023, though, ending the year in Double-A, hitting .313 with 20 home runs.

He’s in major league camp as a non-roster invitee and, at 19 years old, is one of the youngest in a youthful clubhouse that also boasts 20-year-old Jackson Holliday and 22-year-old Gunnar Henderson. Although a stress fracture in Basallo’s throwing elbow has slowed his spring, he’s made the most of his opportunity.

Hitting has progressed much faster than throwing, so Basallo has taken batting practice regularly. He’s also catching bullpen sessions still, but, while his elbow is healing, isn’t throwing the ball back. He is soft tossing it to a coach, who then gets it back to the pitcher. His elbow is progressing, he said, but he does not know when he’ll be able to participate fully or catch a game.

He’s hopeful he’ll get more playing time in the last two weeks of spring training, including in the prospect showcase Thursday, an event that features the young talent in the Orioles’ and Pirates’ systems.

“I think he’s tired of hitting on the backfields,” manager Brandon Hyde said. “I know he’s excited he’s getting an at-bat or two. ... It was fun to see him out there today.”