Danny Knobler of CBS Sports recently tweeted, “If you’re wondering when Diamondbacks will call up Trevor Bauer (@BauerOutage), who is 9-1, 1.96 with 91 Ks in 73 1/3 IP, word is ‘soon.’”  We all have heard about Bauer and know about his potential, but now is a good time to take a closer look at everything we need to know about him.  Is he worth grabbing, even in non-keeper leagues?  You’d better believe it, but let’s see why:

• 21-years old
• Right-handed pitcher
• Drafted third overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2011
• Heading into 2012 Baseball America ranked him as the #9 prospect, mlb.com ranked him as the #7 prospect and Rotoprofessor ranked him as the #9 prospect (to make an impact in 2012)
• Has drawn comparisons to Tim Lincecum, due to his size (listed at 6’1”, 185 lbs.) and unorthodox delivery
• To give an idea of how unorthodox he is, Baseball America said, “He not only has top-of-the-rotation potential, but his approach is so revolutionary that his success in the majors could cause teams to rethink how they condition and develop young pitchers.”
• Made his professional debut in 2011 (pitching in both Single and Double-A), posting a 5.96 ERA but also striking out 43 batters in just 25.2 innings
• He opened the 2012 season at Double-A, going 7-1 with a 1.68 ERA, 60 K and 26 BB over 48.1 innings
• Has since been promoted to Triple-A (4 starts in the Pacific Coast League) posting a 2.52 ERA with 31 K in 25.0 innings, but also walking 12
• It’s becoming obvious that control could be an issue, with 50 BB in 99.0 innings (4.55 BB/9) in his minor league career; while his strikeout stuff will help limit the damage, it needs to be monitored
• His repertoire includes a fastball reaching 97 mph, curveball, slider, changeup and splitter.  Mlb.com gave a great look at his stuff saying, “He has four outstanding pitches from which to choose. He can run his fastball up to 97 mph and sits comfortably in the mid-90s. His curve is a plus, top-to-bottom breaking ball. His slider is another plus offering. He also throws a very good changeup and a more-than-serviceable splitter. He’s willing to throw any of them at any point in the count.”
• Baseball America added that, “He’s also working on a pitch that he calls ‘The Bird,’ a zone-crossing slurve that he’s making up as he goes along.”  That would just add to the depth of his arsenal and give opposing hitters something else to think about

Conclusion:
Yes, there is some risk with any young pitcher and Bauer is no different.  You would love to see him avoid walking so many batters, something that could really plague him in the Major Leagues.  You generally see walks take at least a small step up when moving to a tougher level, as you are going against better hitters.  If minor leaguers aren’t chasing his stuff, that has to get you at least a little concerned.

His WHIP could be an issue, but you just don’t find someone with his type of strikeout potential on the waiver wire.  That alone tells you that you need to add him if possible.

Now that we’ve reached June, you would think that it could be any day for Bauer.  Stash him now before it’s too late.

Want to win $350 and a free Rollie Fingers autographed baseball?  Make sure to join Draft Street & Rotoprofessor’s Free Roll for this Friday, June 8, by clicking here!