Michael Baumann

[accinfo]

I didn't see a thread in the minors for him but he started tonight and had 0ER, 3 IP, 2h, 1BB, 4Ks.  He still has pretty good stuff.  I haven't given up on him as a starter yet.  I know everyone here sees him best as a bullpen guy but I look at Kremer lately and have some hope.

[accinfo]

I am laughing while I write this.  I posted this on June 24 and nothing but crickets.  However tonight he had 5 innings, 0 runs, 2 hits, 1 walk, and 4 K's.  He has been up and down but he does still has decent stuff.  I may be the only one left but I am not giving up on him yet. 

[RVAOsFan]

I have mentioned in a couple other places I think he might be useful in the Baltimore bullpen. I could see him being added when rosters expand. 

[waroriole]

7 minutes ago, RVAOsFan said:

I have mentioned in a couple other places I think he might be useful in the Baltimore bullpen. I could see him being added when rosters expand. 

Uggghhh, he’s awful. He has the most useless high 90s FB I’ve ever seen because it’s straight as an arrow. Has been very mediocre at best in Norfolk despite 5 scoreless last night. 

[RVAOsFan]

8 minutes ago, waroriole said:

Uggghhh, he’s awful. He has the most useless high 90s FB I’ve ever seen because it’s straight as an arrow. Has been very mediocre at best in Norfolk despite 5 scoreless last night. 

Outside of Hall who has been very inconsistent and a couple guys on the IL there are not a whole lot of options in the minors to come up and help out the bullpen in September.

[waroriole]

2 minutes ago, RVAOsFan said:

Outside of Hall who has been very inconsistent and a couple guys on the IL there are not a whole lot of options in the minors to come up and help out the bullpen in September.

You only get two extra spots anyway. One of those should go to Westburg, and we just keep rotating Head, Garcia, and Vespi. Unless you can anticipate a game where we’re gonna get blown out early, I don’t see a scenario where I’d want Baumann to pitch in a playoff race. 

[justD]

3 hours ago, waroriole said:

Uggghhh, he’s awful. He has the most useless high 90s FB I’ve ever seen because it’s straight as an arrow. Has been very mediocre at best in Norfolk despite 5 scoreless last night. 

I'm glad to have your perspective to temper my excitement when I read this from the Tides' PR:

Quote

Tides starter Mike Baumann continued his recent success with 5.0 scoreless innings tonight...it was his fifth outing with 5.0 innings but allowed the fewest runners on base tonight among those games (two hits, one walk)...in 11 games (seven starts) since June 8, he’s 1-2 with a 3.63 ERA (14 ER, 34.2) while allowing 15 walks to 44 strikeouts.

 

[RVAOsFan]

3 hours ago, waroriole said:

You only get two extra spots anyway. One of those should go to Westburg, and we just keep rotating Head, Garcia, and Vespi. Unless you can anticipate a game where we’re gonna get blown out early, I don’t see a scenario where I’d want Baumann to pitch in a playoff race. 

I like Vespi but I think I would prefer Baumann over Head and Garcia but thats just me.

[Sports Guy]

Our pen needs more guys who can miss bats and get Ks.

Is Baumann a guy that can improve on that?  

[RVAOsFan]

2 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

Our pen needs more guys who can miss bats and get Ks.

Is Baumann a guy that can improve on that?  

Look I am not here to die on some Mike Baumann hill, I think we can all agree the bullpen could use a shot in the arm here.  Hall is probably our best chance of doing that but who knows what we get if we put in him that role.  I think Baumann is a better option than Head or Garcia.

[Sports Guy]

11 minutes ago, RVAOsFan said:

Look I am not here to die on some Mike Baumann hill, I think we can all agree the bullpen could use a shot in the arm here.  Hall is probably our best chance of doing that but who knows what we get if we put in him that role.  I think Baumann is a better option than Head or Garcia.

I tend to agree.

He has a K rate over 11.  I think he needs to go the pen.  He hasn't been pitch efficient this year.  The walk rate is high.  I am not sure how well he is missing bats but I think his stuff will play better in the pen and that has always been his most realistic destination.

[RVAOsFan]

3 minutes ago, Sports Guy said:

I tend to agree.

He has a K rate over 11.  I think he needs to go the pen.  He hasn't been pitch efficient this year.  The walk rate is high.  I am not sure how well he is missing bats but I think his stuff will play better in the pen and that has always been his most realistic destination.

I think the ship has sailed on him being a starter for the Orioles, put him in the pen and see if he can have some success. 

[CharmCityHokie]

54 minutes ago, RVAOsFan said:

I think the ship has sailed on him being a starter for the Orioles, put him in the pen and see if he can have some success. 

I don't disagree, but he hasn't looked particularly sharp as a reliever in Norfolk. Granted, maybe he needs a routine or a role and getting yo-yo'd from the majors to minors from starting to relieving isn't helping but it's just not been a great year for him.

As a Starter (AAA): 8 Starts, 32.2 IP, 3.31 ERA, 40/14 K/BB ratio, 4HRs, 1.22 WHIP

As a Reliever (AAA): 11 Games, 21.1 IP, 6.75 ERA, 28/11 K/BB Ratio, 2 HRs, 1.64 WHIP

Small sample size for sure, but he certainly hasn't take it to like a duck to water. 

[Jim'sKid26]

Mike's a big guy who throws hard but doesn't possess a ton of movement on his FB. Time to de-emphasize the FB and work to command his other pitches. He has enough velocity to surprise hitters but doesn't miss enough bats with the FB to dominate guys with it. So the plan ought to be:

1. Learn to consistently locate the FB up in the zone.

2. Find a breaking pitch you can command in the zone. Ideally that's a curveball that leaves his hand in the same place as the FB.

3. Got to learn an effective CH. 

Find a way to be consistent. Throw strikes. Commit to being a reliever. 

[Punchandjudy]

Not sure why Mike doesn’t use a two seamer or cutter.  Also, a flat fastball isn’t irredeemable, look at what Braddish did against the Astros.  If Bauman can dot it better, an overpowering FB can still play.