ORGANIZATION REPORTS

Baumler Prepares To Make Pro Debut

The road back from Tommy John surgery has taken righthander Carter Baumler to bullpen sessions that eventually will lead him into his first professional game.

Baumler injured his left elbow in 2020 at instructional league, four months after he was a fifth-rounder out of Dowling Catholic High in West Des Moines, Iowa.

His workouts and throwing progression culminated in a successful first side session on Feb. 28 at the team’s spring training complex in Sarasota, Fla.

“Carter Baumler is an advanced high school kid,” Orioles farm director Matt Blood said. “Really good athlete, delivery, demeanor and above-average stuff.”

The 20-year-old Baumler is eager to finally use his arsenal against live competition. He’s made one start since 2019, appearing in one high school game in 2020 before the pandemic shut down the season.

“The TJ rehab process is tough for anybody and is something you definitely can’t prepare for,” Baumler said. “The biggest part about it is just being patient, and that’s what I’ve tried to do. But I think it’s been a good thing for me, and I’ve learned a ton through the whole process.”

The 6-foot-2, 195-pound Baumler was the only pitcher selected by the Orioles in the abbreviated, five-round draft. He signed for $1.5 million.

The organization liked his athleticism and quick arm. His fastball velocity ticked up to 92-94 mph in high school and his curveball, with its 11-to-5 shape, projected as a future plus pitch. His changeup showed improvement as well.

The sharpness should return with more repetitions.

“With how the throwing program went, we took pretty much like two weeks on each pitch,” Baumler said.

“I think with stuff, I don’t have a problem there. I know where I need to be and I’ll have plenty of time in a throwing program before spring training to get my stuff down.”

—ROCH KUBATKO

Murphy Uses Analytics To Improve

For lefthander Chris Murphy, entry into pro ball after being drafted by the Red Sox out San Diego in the sixth round in 2019 involved an immediate re-education.

“The first thing the pitching coordinator told me when I got here was, ‘You shouldn’t throw a fastball below the belt,’ “Murphy said.

“‘Throw your fastball up in the zone, and you can throw your offspeed pitches for strikes, and you can throw your fastball even higher with two strikes and guys will swing.’

“I’ve taken that and run, and that’s where my development has gone.”

In his time with the Red Sox, Murphy has developed a reputation as a pitcher who eagerly incorporates analytics into his plan of attack and pitch design.

In addition to examining where his pitch mix—anchored by a four-seam fastball that sits at 92-94 mph and peaks at 96-97—best plays, he’s also become fascinated by