BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – MAY 21: Adley Rutschman #35 of the Baltimore Orioles runs down the first base line on a ground out in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 21, 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Baltimore Orioles catcher couldn’t help but soak it in when stepping on the field for his official MLB debut.
Ever since being selected first overall in the 2019 MLB Entry Draft, fans wondered when catcher Adley Rutschman would make his debut for the Baltimore Orioles. The answer was May 21, 2022 after he learned of his major league call-up from his coaches and with the help of his teammates.
Ahead of first pitch, Rutschman took the field wearing his catching equipment and shook the hand of the home plate umpire. Then, in an extremely pure moment, Rutschman took time to look around Oriole Park at Camden Yards and soaked it all in.
Watch: Adley Rutschman takes it all in ahead of Orioles debut, and hits a triple
What a moment for the catcher, all the while he received a standing ovation from fans in attendance.
In his Orioles debut, Rutschman batted sixth in the order. After striking out and walking in his first two at-bats, Rutschman recorded his first major league hit in the bottom of the seventh inning, where he sent a pitch to right field. After outfielder Brett Phillips struggled to pick up the ball, Rutschman took advantage by running all the way to third base for a triple!
Rutschman spent 19 games across Single-A+, Double-A and Triple-A. Through those games, the catcher slashed .309/.427/.515 while recording three home runs, nine RBI, 12 runs scored and 21 hits.
What a night for Adley Rutschman, as he played in his first game with the Orioles and recorded his first-ever hit with the big league club.