 He was selected by the Phillies in the Rule 5 draft on November 28, 1960.After learning how to throw the screwball, Baldschun made it to the majors as a 24-year-old rookie in 1961.Baldschun made his major league debut on April 28, 1961 in relief of Chris Short in a 10-9 Phillies road loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.