Starting pitcher Tim Bascom appears to finally be on the correct path to the major leagues. The 23-year-old right-hander finished the 2008 season with a 6-5 record and a 5.78 ERA for the Frederick Keys, but he was 3-0 with a 3.44 ERA in six starts during the final month.

Bascom excelled during three seasons at the University of Central Florida, where he made 21 relief appearances as a freshman. Bascom had his best season after becoming a starter during his sophomore year in 2005. He was 10-2 with a 3.10 ERA and three complete games. As a junior, Bascom was 5-6 with a 2.48 ERA. He finished his collegiate career with 225 strikeouts in 221 innings.

The San Diego Padres originally selected Bascom in the sixth round of the 2006 MLB draft. Bascom and the Padres never agreed to terms, however, because the pitcher failed a physical due to a knee injury.

Since he had already hired an agent, Bascom was unable to return to UCF for his senior season. The 6-foot-2, 210-pound pitcher decided to sign with the Bradenton Juice of the independent South Coast League. He didn’t allow a run in 10 innings for Bradenton at the beginning of the 2007 season.

After his impressive performance in the independent league, the Orioles selected Bascom in the fourth round of the 2007 draft. Bascom made his professional debut for the Delmarva Shorebirds on June 25, 2007 and had nine strikeouts. He retired all 15 hitters in the game.

He was 3-3 with a 3.74 ERA in 12 starts for the Shorebirds before earning a promotion to Frederick. Bascom finished the 2007 season by appearing in two games for the Keys. He gave up two runs and six hits in six innings.

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General information

Name: Tim Bascom
Age: 23
Height: 6-2
Weight: 210
Hometown: Dunedin, Fla.
Nicknames: Timbo Slice / Ronaldinho
Position: Right-handed pitcher
High school/college: Dunedin (Fla.) High School / University of Central Florida
Time in professional baseball: Two years

Favorites

Current MLB player: David Eckstein
All-time MLB player: “Crime Dog” Fred McGriff
MLB team: Orioles
Sport (other than baseball): Golf / water polo
Food: Porterhouse steak (medium well) with garlic mashed potatoes and asparagus
Music: Country / classical / no rap
TV show: Home Improvement / Food Network shows with Bobby Flay
Movie: The Big Lebowski / The Cable Guy / Kingpin
Hobbies: Fishing / collecting train sets

Other questions

1. What is one thing that you’d like the fans to know about you?

I am a competitor. Also, I am single and looking.

2. At this point in your career, what has been your favorite moment?

My favorite moments have been my first start with the Orioles organization [as a member of the Shorebirds in 2007] and winning the Mills Cup [Carolina League championship] with the Keys in 2007.

3. Who is your role model?

My Daddy.

4. In the minor leagues, what do you do for fun on a road trip?

Play cards.

5. If you could play any other position, what would it be and why?

Designated hitter, so I won’t have to field.

The survey was distributed and returned by Frederick’s media relations department. Check out other ‘Surveying the minors’ features about the O’s minor leaguers here.