The Boston Red Sox made an unexpected addition to their organization this week, signing towering right-hander to a minor league contract.
The move came as spring training officially began, with pitchers reporting for structured workouts, yet Boston’s front office continued to search for potential talent—even at the lowest levels of the farm system.
Blum, known as “Harry,” went undrafted in 2025 despite completing his final year of college eligibility. His path to professional baseball has been anything but conventional. He spent most of his collegiate career at Luther College, a small Division III school in Decorah, Iowa, with fewer than 1,400 students. For his final season, made possible by extended NCAA eligibility rules stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, Blum transferred to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which competes at the Division II level.
The transition from Luther to Augustana represented a step up in competition. At Luther, Blum pitched for the Norse; at Augustana, he joined the Vikings. In his lone Division II season, the 25-year-old right-hander made 17 appearances, including three starts. He compiled a 5-2 record and earned four saves while primarily working out of the bullpen. His performance demonstrated growth and resilience, especially considering he was facing stronger competition than at any previous point in his career.
What drew Boston’s attention to a pitcher with such a modest background is not entirely clear. However, Blum’s physical profile likely played a major role. He stands an imposing 6-foot-7 and weighs approximately 240 pounds, giving him the type of build that has increasingly appealed to Boston’s leadership. Since chief baseball officer Craig Breslow took over baseball operations following the 2023 season, the organization has consistently targeted pitchers who exceed the league’s average height of 6-foot-4.
The trend is evident throughout the system. Boston’s ace, Garrett Crochet, measures 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds. Offseason acquisition Johan Oviedo is also 6-foot-6 and weighs 275 pounds. Top pitching prospect Payton Tolle checks in at 6-foot-6 and 250 pounds, while Rule 5 addition Ryan Watson stands 6-foot-5 and 225 pounds. Blum fits neatly into this prototype of a big-bodied power arm.
Beyond his size, Blum reportedly boosted his velocity significantly over the past year, adding four to five miles per hour to his fastball. Reports indicate he now throws a four-seam fastball that can reach 97 mph—an eye-catching number for someone who was competing at the Division III and II levels not long ago.
Blum’s journey is also defined by perseverance. His former coach at Luther, Bryan Nikkel, praised his determination, noting that Blum refused to give up on his professional dream even when many believed his playing career had reached its peak. Blum himself expressed enthusiasm about joining Boston, saying he is eager to challenge himself further within a storied franchise.
While the odds remain long for an undrafted pitcher from small-school programs to climb the professional ranks, Blum’s combination of size, improved velocity, and unwavering belief make him an intriguing developmental project. For Red Sox fans, his underdog story could become one worth monitoring in the years ahead.
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