O's claim Bryan Baker from Jays

[interloper]

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2021/11/orioles-to-claim-bryan-baker-from-blue-jays.html

Pretty good minor league numbers last couple years. Only 26. 40th round pick of the Pirates. Don't know anything about his stuff. Appears to be a reliever. 

[UMDTerrapins]

Pretty nice freebie if he’s healthy. 

[HowAboutThat]

Is he better than Hunter Harvey?

I’ve been saying for a long time that now that we get first crack at everybody’s rejects, nobody on the 40 man is safe, with three or four glaringly obvious exceptions.

We should have an over/under poll Asking how many guys are going to come and go on the 40 man between now and pitching/catching reporting

[Aristotelian]

Numbers look solid. Walks are a little high but good ERA, decent K/9. Would probably have more experience in the Majors if it weren't for the lost season in 2020. Definitely better numbers than Ellis, not sure about Harvey. I like this claim a lot. 

[interloper]

First claim of many this offseason. Certainly looks like he's worth taking a flyer on. 

[interloper]

95-96? Yes please. 

[interloper]

2 options. 

[HowAboutThat]

I think the 19th is the big rule five addition day, so we’ll have a positive plethora of scratch-and-dent Guys from which to choose.

And then the argument will switch from “why did we dump this guy?” to,”why didn’t we claim this guy?”

What fun!

[Ripken]

He's like Harvey, only better.  

 

[Frobby]

10 minutes ago, Ripken said:

He's like Harvey, only better.  

 

This is going to be the question with every waiver wire pickup - would you rather have him than Harvey?   Looking at his stats, this is a guy who really struggled with his control in 2018-19 but seemed to find the answer this year.

2018 - 6.5 BB/9

2019 - 6.0 BB/9

2021 - 3.7 BB/9

[Tony-OH]

6 minutes ago, Frobby said:

This is going to be the question with every waiver wire pickup - would you rather have him than Harvey?   Looking at his stats, this is a guy who really struggled with his control in 2018-19 but seemed to find the answer this year.

2018 - 6.5 BB/9

2019 - 6.0 BB/9

2021 - 3.7 BB/9

On the other hand, he keeps showing improvement.

[Tony-OH]

Well in his one inning of major league work he averages 94.8 MPH that is very straight (0.1 inches of horizontal movement) and a decent spin rate cutter that averages 88 MPH.

I watched some of his minor league games and that's his repertoire. Get decent miss despite the underwhelming overall stuff. Has a little deception in there but I don't see him having enough weapons to work in the MLB long term.

https://www.mlb.com/video/00u7jzgkdtP9kH55c356/reels/baker-in-his-debut

[NCRaven]

Just now, Tony-OH said:

Well in his one inning of major league work he averages 94.8 MPH that is very straight (0.1 inches of horizontal movement) and a decent spin rate cutter that averages 88 MPH.

Glad we’ve got a large sample here.

[sportsfan8703]

Pretty good milb numbers this year. Unless Harvey’s entire right arm magically becomes healthy, he’s just a run of the mill reliever. At least this guy is durable, and might have more coachability at this point. 

[Aristotelian]

12 minutes ago, NCRaven said:

Glad we’ve got a large sample here.

Had to check his one MLB box score. Came in for Robbie Ray to protect an 8-0 lead. Gave up a leadoff single to Chad Ponder, popped up Andrus, struck out Josh Harrison, and got Starling Marte on a pop fly to end the inning. Threw two wild pitches, maybe due to nerves or adjusting to MLB ball?