The Boston Red Sox this week signed a little-known pitcher who spent five seasons at an NCAA Division III school before adding about five miles per hour to his fastball in just eight months.
Harrison “Harry” Blum went undrafted in 2025, his final year of college eligibility, and the only one spent out of Division III. For his last season, Blum transferred from Luther College — a small school in Decorah, Iowa, with fewer than 1,400 students, to Augustana University in Sioux Falls, South Dakota — a school with about 2,400 students.
Competing in Division II, Augustana’s teams are called the Vikings, so Blum stuck with a theme, transferring from the Luther Norse.
Why did the Red Sox decided to sign Blum, giving the 24-year-old a minor league contract? The most obvious reason Blum may have interested Red Sox chief baseball officer Craig Breslow is his size. Blum stands 6-foot-7, with a weight listed at 240 pounds.
Red Sox Preference for Big-Bodied Pitchers
Since Breslow took over Red Sox baseball operations from Chaim Bloom after the 2023 season, the Boston organization has shown a clear preference for pitchers who stand above the MLB average of 6-foot-4.
Boston ace Garrett Crochet stands 6-foot-6 at 245 pounds. Offseason trade acquisition Johan Oviedo tips the scales at 275 pounds while also standing 6-foot-6.
The Red Sox top pitching prospect Payton Tolle is another 6-foot-6 hurler, at 250 pounds. Ryan Watson, a Rule 5 draft acquisition, stands 6-foot-5, 225 pounds. And so on.
According to Section 10 podcast co-host Tyler Milliken, who reported the signing on his social media, Blum “added 4-5 mph over the last eight months,” which also caught the eye of Red Sox scouts. According to one report, Blum throws a four-seam fastball at 97 mph.
Blum ‘Never Quit on Himself’
Blum is now expected to make the jump from NCAA Division II to the pros with the Red Sox’ Single-A affiliate, the Salem Ridge Yaks, according to reporter Andrew Parker of Baseball Now.
The Red Sox last pitched for Luther College in the 2024 but, due to NCAA eligibility rules after the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, was able to take an extra year of eligibility, which he used in one season at Augustana. In 17 appearances, including three starts, for the Vikings, the towering right-hander recorded five wins against just two losses, coming out of the bullpen for four saves.
“Harrison never quit on himself,” his Luther Norse coach Bryan Nikkel told the college’s newspaper. “He had a dream and continued to go for it. We all get told our career is over at some point, but Harrison didn’t listen.”
Blum also expressed excitement at getting a shot at professional baseball.
“I am excited for another opportunity to continue to push myself further in this game we all love,” Blum told the school paper. “There is a ton of talent within the Red Sox organization and I’m looking forward to being a part of this historic franchise.”
How far an undrafted free agent who has faced only lower-level college hitters will fare in the professional ranks remains to be seen. While Blum is certainly a long shot, his improbable story should be one to follow for Red Sox fans.
Red Sox Sign Undrafted 6-Foot-7 Pitcher Who Added 5 MPH in 8 Months