Maryland baseball right-hander Taylor Bloom found his ideal catcher before he started middle school.
Bloom and Justin Morris have played together since they were 9 or 10, the Severna Park native said. The pairing was initially a coincidence, as they played on the same summer league teams and “won a couple of small tournaments.” But growing up, Bloom developed a comfort throwing to Morris.
The two discussed their future collegiate careers on occasion, though Bloom said he didn’t intentionally commit to play for the same school Morris selected. Still, both players ended up on coach John Szefc’s roster in College Park, and their ties remain strong.
Morris has caught each of Bloom’s six starts this season, and Bloom doesn’t anticipate that changing.
“It’s a special thing because there are so many schools in the recruiting process choices-wise,” Bloom said. “It’s cool we ended up in the same place.”
While Bloom secured the Saturday spot in the weekend rotation to start the season, the fifth-year coach hadn’t named a starting catcher. Morris, Nick Cieri and Dan Maynard were all candidates to receive playing time.
Morris was behind the plate against Louisville for Bloom’s first start Feb. 18, but his defensive miscues prompted Szefc to pull him after one at-bat, putting his weekly chance to catch Bloom in jeopardy.
That wasn’t the case, though, as Morris was in the starting lineup for Bloom’s next start, which came against LSU a week later. Bloom’s outing was short-lived — he lasted two innings and allowed six runs — but he credits Morris with helping him face a lineup that has hit .304, the 35th-best batting average in the country.
“Some of it just helps [Bloom] realize it’s just a game and the same game he’s been playing as a kid,” Morris said. “Whenever you play with someone you played with for such a long time, you realize not to put too much pressure on yourself and think about your childhood memories growing up. It’s the same thing out here today.”
Recently, that strategy has helped Bloom find consistency on the mound. Again with Morris catching, Bloom guided Maryland to its third win of the season on March 4. He tossed seven innings and allowed two runs in the Terps’ 9-2 victory over then-No. 6 N.C. State.
Since his start against the Wolfpack, Bloom hasn’t had an outing fewer than five innings.
“It’s nice having the same guy back there and not having to worry about it,” Bloom said. “I know he is going to be comfortable back there, and I’m comfortable obviously because I’ve thrown to him so much throughout the years.”
Morris has also excelled at the plate. Twenty-three games into the season, he’s matched his home run total (2) from last year. His .306 on-base percentage is up from .297 last season.
That offensive improvement combined with his ability to throw out baserunners resulted in Szefc starting him in all three games against Michigan, making him the first catcher to start every game of a weekend series this season.
“Defensive side has always been his strong point, how he can receive and throw,” Szefc said. “In his case, because he’s known to be a good thrower, it will deter the running game a lot … He’s played in a lot of big games between here and summer baseball. I don’t think it’s anything he can’t handle.”
Though Bloom understands the coaching staff ultimately decides the starting lineup, he told the coaches before the season he’d prefer to pitch to Morris. He prevents baserunners from stealing, Bloom said, and is a solid target behind the plate.
Plus, the two have played together for years, providing familiarity amid a pressure-filled environment.
“I’ve been asked who would I like to have back there,” Bloom said. “[The coaches] know the best matchup is me and J-Mo.”
