Shorebirds Player Spotlight: Carter Baumler

Currently ranked as the Orioles 29th Overall Prospect (per MLB.com), Carter Baumler has taken one of the more intriguing routes in the Orioles farm system. Being forced to undergo Tommy John Surgery before even making his professional debut, Baumler has emerged from the rehab process better than ever, joining the Shorebirds at the end of May and making an immediate impact.

On Wednesday, May 25, Baumler made his Shorebirds debut against a Charleston RiverDogs team that is currently the second best squad in the Carolina league. Baumler was electric on the mound as he blanked the River Dogs through three innings, allowing only a hit and a walk while striking out.

Although it was the first time he had pitched in a meaningful game since high school, Baumler looked like he hadn’t missed a beat. Of the outing, Baumler said, “My nerves calmed down right before I went out there. Once I stepped up onto the baseball field, it just felt like I was right back where I needed to be.”

Early on, getting his four-pitch mix of fastball, curveball, slider, and change-up working and playing off each other is paramount to Baumler. Reflecting on his first start, Baumler said, “I had my fastball and curveball working in the first two innings, I can count on that almost every night. I was really trying to find my change-up and slider later into the game and I found my slider in the third inning. Later on, I’d like to have all from the first pitch, but fastball-curveball is typically my bread and butter.”

Baumler followed up his debut outing by throwing three more scoreless innings in his next start against the Myrtle Beach Pelicans on June 1, striking out four more hitters and extending his scoreless inning streak to six to begin his career.

Slated to make his home debut on Wednesday, June 8, Baumler gives both Shorebirds and Orioles fans a glimpse into what the future may hold in Birdland every time he takes the mound.

Growing up in Des Moines, Iowa, Baumler was a multi-sport athlete throughout his time at Dowling Catholic High School, using his 6’2, 195lb frame to play baseball as well as football. During his baseball career in high school, Baumler not only pitched, but also played catcher, third base, and outfield. Baumler was also a talented football player, using his tall, lengthy build to become a devastatingly good kicker and punter. Baumler received ample interest from colleges, but he ultimately decided to commit to Texas Christian University (TCU) to play baseball for the Horned Frogs.

His pitching abilities throughout high school is what impressed scouts the most as his 90-94 mph fastballs with late movement along with his dominant curveball led Baumler to be ranked as the #1 overall player in the state of Iowa in 2019. Nationally, Baumler was ranked as the 29th best player and the 10th best right-handed pitcher coming out of high school, which led him to receiving an invite to the Perfect Game (PG) National showcase. Baumler flourished in the showcase and scouts awarded him with a PG grade 10, meaning his great potential could lead him to being an elite college baseball player and a high draft pick for the majors.

Over the summer of 2019, Baumler continued to boost his draft stock, shining at the Area Code Games and the World Wood Bat Association World Championships. Continuing to impress scouts with his big arm and athletic build, Baumler was selected at the 2020 MLB draft by the Baltimore Orioles in the 5th round, 133 overall pick. Baumler decided to pass on the opportunity to play at TCU and signed with the Orioles.

Although choosing to sign over going to school was a difficult choice, Baumler says going to the Orioles made the decision easier, “The Orioles farm system is the number one in baseball and that really drew me in. We have a lot moving forward into the future, really a ton. Also, my senior year of high school I felt like maturity wise I was working towards this. Going into the summer of my senior year, this was at the forefront of my mind.”

However, only 4 months after being drafted by the Orioles, Baumler was sidelined with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow leading to the aforementioned Tommy John Surgery and a premature end to his 2021 campaign. Since then, Baumler has made a successful recovery from Tommy John surgery, working his way back on to the mound.

“I learned a lot before I came up here during the whole Tommy John rehab process. It didn’t feel like I missed a whole season of baseball. It felt like I still learned so much during the process,” Baumler said.