Orioles Prospect Justin Armbruester Trying To ‘Learn Something New Every Day’

As Double-A Bowie right-hander Justin Armbruester goes through the grind of pro ball for the first time, his teammates and coaches have helped him to relax and focus on improving while not stressing over a bad pitch or outing.

“We hope for a win every day, we strive for a win every day, but they don’t come easy and each one is as difficult as the next,” Armbruester said on Glenn Clark Radio Aug. 10.

Armbruester, 23, stands at 6-foot-5 and 250 pounds on the mound at Prince George’s Stadium. A big presence who can reach 97 mph with his fastball, Armbruester was drafted by the Orioles in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of New Mexico.

Armbruester got off to a good start with High-A Aberdeen this season, having pitched to a 4.02 ERA with 63 strikeouts and 18 walks in 53.2 innings. As such, he made the jump to Double-A. He has posted a 3.98 ERA, with 41 strikeouts and five walks in 40.2 innings (nine appearances, five as a starter) with the Baysox.

“I’m definitely still a rookie. I’ve learned that every day I try something new both on and off the field to learn,” Armbruester said. “But I’m having a lot of fun in my first season with the Orioles and in professional baseball. It’s definitely been a grind this first year, just learning things on and off the field. I’ve just tried to learn something new every day and find a way to get better every day.”

Armbruester is a little older than some of the other players in their first full year of pro ball because he stayed in college for four years. He is focusing on improving his entire arsenal, which includes a fastball, slider, cutter and changeup.

“The biggest thing that I’ve tried to work on now in pro ball is I’ve had a pretty good fastball my entire career, but now I’m really trying to work on developing secondary pitches,” Armbruester said.

Armbruester’s spot in baseball was not secure when he graduated Eastside Catholic School just outside of Seattle. Only one school — Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. — offered him a chance to pitch. Instead of throwing in the towel and quitting, Armbruester went to Pacific Lutheran with a chip on his shoulder, using that as a way to improve his pitching and play with all his heart.

“I honestly almost gave up baseball at the end of my high school career, I didn’t really know if I loved it,” Armbruester said. “But then I got that one opportunity … and kind of found this new passion toward baseball.”

After pitching for Pacific Lutheran for two years, Armbruester transferred to New Mexico. He stayed there for two years before being drafted by the Orioles. Armbruester repeatedly stressed that “there is a path for everyone” and that his time in the minors did not happen overnight. He practiced, grinded and used the opportunity to grow as a pitcher and teammate.

“Nothing’s given, everything’s earned,” Armbruester said.

The Baysox are 26-15 in the second half of the season, but the team maintains a fun atmosphere in the clubhouse and on the field, making it easy for Armbruester and his teammates to relax.

“Everyone kind of pushes for each other,” Armbruester said. “But everybody else goes and does their individual things that make sure they’re ready to go, which in turn makes our team ready to go and allows us to be able to go out and perform.”

Armbruester and his teammates all aim to play well and win. They have the same vibe and attitude toward each game they face.

“It’s that rising tide raises all ships. We’re just trying to raise the tide so that we can compete in the AL East,” Armbruester explained. “The Orioles are starting to make noise up in the major league level. We’re just trying to do our thing down here in Bowie.”

For more from Armbruester, listen to the full interview here:

Photo Credit: Peyton Stoike