ORGANIZATION REPORTS

American League

• An Astros pitcher looks sharp after a two-year layoff PAGE 40
• Meet the young pitcher who could have better stuff than any Twins prospect since Jose Berrios PAGE 41
• A Blue Jays outfielder sharpened his swing, his routes and his basestealing at the alternate site PAGE 42

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Righthander Michael Baumann has to regain his health before he can get back on a mound. But a strained flexor mass in his right forearm didn’t keep him off the 40-man roster.

The Orioles exempted the 25-year-old Baumann from the Rule 5 draft by including him among the six players added to the roster at the deadline.

The move had been anticipated after the 6-foot-4, 225-pound Baumann upgraded his prospect status in 2019 by going 7-6, 2.98 in 24 games between high Class A Frederick and Double-A Bowie. He struck out 142 batters in 124 innings.

The coronavirus pandemic limited him to work at the alternate training site this summer.

“We were able to hone in on some things I personally needed to make adjustments for,” Baumann said. “Mentally, physically, make steps forward that otherwise I wouldn’t be able to do with the season going on.

“There are definitely some losses there without having the season, but if you have the right mindset, you can take some good out of it.”

Baumann, a 2017 third-rounder from Jacksonville, has registered a 2.82 ERA and 1.12 WHIP as a pro.

“I think everyone should be super excited to see him at the best level,” outfielder Ryan McKenna said. “Most people who have been following him know what he’s capable of. He’s a very dominant presence on the mound. It’s a good thing to be around as a teammate.

“His whole approach to the game is elite. Going forward, I think it’s going to be exciting watching him pitch in the big leagues.”

The Orioles are expected to assign Baumann to Triple-A in 2021 and allow the righthander to debut later in the summer.

“As far as my arm goes, it’s been feeling good,” he said. “Been making strides there as far as rehab goes. I think there’s been progress there and I’m looking forward to taking more steps forward.”

—ROCH KUBATKO

BOSTON RED SOX

Of the seven prospects the Red Sox added to their 40-man roster in November, four were acquired in trades in 2020. Of those four, righthander Connor Seabold seems best positioned to make a meaningful contribution in 2021.

Boston landed Seabold and righthander Nick Pivetta from the Phillies in an August deal that sent relievers Brandon Workman and Heath Hembree to Philadelphia.

Upon Seabold’s arrival in the Boston organization, the 2017 third-rounder from Cal State Fullerton immediately became one of the most advanced starting pitchers in the system.

The 25-year-old Seabold spent 2020 at the alternate training sites of the Phillies and Red Sox after logging just 56.1