Josh Blum, hailing from Bellaire, Texas, completed his high school education at Houston’s Emery Weiner School, where he excelled in both baseball and football throughout his four-year tenure. His achievements on the diamond were particularly noteworthy, boasting an impressive cumulative ERA of 0.75 with 166 strikeouts over 92.0 innings pitched for the Jaguars. Despite garnering attention from scouts and evaluators, Blum surprisingly went undrafted upon graduation and opted to honor his commitment to the University of Southern California.
At USC, Blum’s collegiate journey initially faced challenges during his freshman year in 2022. Utilized exclusively out of the bullpen, he struggled, recording a high 12.10 ERA across 9.2 innings. The season was marked by difficulties in command, as evidenced by 14 walks issued against 12 strikeouts. However, the following year proved transformative for Blum under the guidance of newly appointed head coach Andy Stankiewicz. Elevated to a more prominent role in the Trojans’ bullpen, Blum demonstrated marked improvement, tallying a much-improved 3.34 ERA over 32.1 innings across 30 relief appearances in 2023. During this season, he exhibited better control and strikeout prowess, registering 40 strikeouts while allowing 24 hits and issuing 12 walks.
Blum’s dedication and progress continued into the summer of 2023, where he gained valuable experience pitching for the San Luis Obispo Blues in the competitive California Collegiate League. Returning to USC for his junior campaign, Blum assumed the crucial role of the team’s closer, showcasing exceptional skills on the mound throughout the season. His dominant performance included a stellar 1.87 ERA over 33.2 innings spread across 27 appearances. During this remarkable season, Blum allowed just 18 hits while striking out 45 batters and securing 10 saves for the Trojans.
Standing at 6 feet 1 inch and weighing 195 pounds, Blum employs a distinctive low-three-quarters, almost sidearm pitching delivery. This adjustment from a previously higher arm slot has enhanced the effectiveness of his pitches, notably his fastball, which consistently reaches the low-to-mid-90s and has been recorded at a top speed of 96 MPH. Equipped with significant arm-side movement and a high spin rate of 2400 RPM, his fastball proves challenging for hitters, especially when located effectively in the upper part of the strike zone.
Blum complements his fastball with two secondary pitches that further augment his repertoire. His slider, thrown in the low-80s, boasts impressive spin rates nearing 2700 RPM, featuring sweeping movement and late-breaking action. Meanwhile, his cutter, delivered in the high-80s, exhibits spin rates just above 2500 RPM, adding diversity and unpredictability to his arsenal.
Despite his strengths, Blum’s pitching style has occasionally led to a high percentage of fly balls throughout his career, with a 50% flyball rate in 2024 and a slightly elevated home run-to-fly ball ratio (HR/FB) of 10.8% for the same year. This trend has contributed to his Fielding Independent Pitching (FIP) and expected FIP (xFIP) metrics consistently exceeding his actual earned run average (ERA). In 2024, for instance, Blum recorded a commendable 1.87 ERA, but his FIP and xFIP stood notably higher at 4.44 and 4.48, respectively, underscoring the impact of defensive factors and luck on his performance outcomes.
Looking ahead, Josh Blum’s journey from high school standout to collegiate closer reflects his resilience and adaptability as a pitcher. His continued development and refined pitching arsenal position him as a promising prospect with potential future opportunities in professional baseball, demonstrating a blend of skill, determination, and strategic growth throughout his collegiate career at USC.
