Michael Baumann 2023

[Just Regular]

The 113.3 EV he just yielded on Arozarena's HR was more than any Oriole Bat was able to manage in 2022 (in the major leagues, at least).

But he completed 2 innings behind Bradish otherwise okay.    Certainly Baumann for me is someone whose dial is turned to Yield HR, not Walks, even apart from that being generically what the Orioles have done in recent years to complete ~1425 innings.

Anyhow, I don't really have any hope for him as more than a 1-inning fireballer, but I am curious to see him get a crack at the Tommy Hunter life change.

To dunk on myself, here was some irrational exuberance from a scant 27 months ago.    Baumann whistled past the surgeon's table graveyard, but results wise I don't feel like he ever got all of whatever he used to have back after whatever it was they've been nursing him through the last couple years.

 

[Sports Guy]

https://twitter.com/enosarris/status/1631357011626475520?s=46&t=G3On-_LleGmZce-r3ClVZA

[Il BuonO]

42 minutes ago, Just Regular said:

The 113.3 EV he just yielded on Arozarena's HR was more than any Oriole Bat was able to manage in 2022 (in the major leagues, at least).

But he completed 2 innings behind Bradish otherwise okay.    Certainly Baumann for me is someone whose dial is turned to Yield HR, not Walks, even apart from that being generically what the Orioles have done in recent years to complete ~1425 innings.

Anyhow, I don't really have any hope for him as more than a 1-inning fireballer, but I am curious to see him get a crack at the Tommy Hunter life change.

To dunk on myself, here was some irrational exuberance from a scant 27 months ago.    Baumann whistled past the surgeon's table graveyard, but results wise I don't feel like he ever got all of whatever he used to have back after whatever it was they've been nursing him through the last couple years.

 

Three innings, but who’s counting? Well, apparently me. Also, freakin Arozarena! The bat speed is a blur.

[Just Regular]

23 minutes ago, Il BuonO said:

Three innings, but who’s counting? Well, apparently me. Also, freakin Arozarena! The bat speed is a blur.

Yep - I did NOT expect him to have 3 innings of leash.     Struck out the side in Inning #3 too!

[CharmCityHokie]

40 minutes ago, Just Regular said:

Yep - I did NOT expect him to have 3 innings of leash.     Struck out the side in Inning #3 too!

Struck out the side with the bases loaded at that...not shabby after a rocky start

[RZNJ]

14 minutes ago, CharmCityHokie said:

Struck out the side with the bases loaded at that...not shabby after a rocky start

Nice job by Baumann but who were the three guys he struck out.  We need to see the B pitchers against a full ML lineup later in the spring.  

[CharmCityHokie]

44 minutes ago, RZNJ said:

Nice job by Baumann but who were the three guys he struck out.  We need to see the B pitchers against a full ML lineup later in the spring.  

I absolutely agree with that, but two of his K's were Harold Ramirez swinging and Francisco Mejia called. They're not superstars but they have MLB tenure, it wasn't all 19 year old A-ballers. When you have the bases loaded with no outs and get out of it without giving up a run or even allowing a ball in play, that's pretty impressive. Or basically the 'reverse-Oriole'd'; I feel like the last few years we've squandered so many no-out RISP chances it makes me cringe. 

That all being said, I don't know have a ton of faith in Baumann, he brings heat but every time I've seen him the fastball has no movement, big leaguers will destroy that no matter how hard you throw it. I'm hoping for the best but don't anticipate him being more than a middle reliever. 

[Tony-OH]

22 hours ago, Sports Guy said:

https://twitter.com/enosarris/status/1631357011626475520?s=46&t=G3On-_LleGmZce-r3ClVZA

Eh, I don't really know what to make of STUFF+, but what I do know is that his fastball is not much different than the one he used last year minus about an inch LESS of vertical movement. Yet batters put up a .376 XWOBA and a 46.6% Hard hit percentage against the pitch last year. 

So while STUFF+ may give him high grades this spring, major league hitters don't seem to be too impressed. I think STUFF+ probably has a long way to go before it's should be used in any meaningful evaluation of a major league pitcher.

[btdart20]

21 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Eh, I don't really know what to make of STUFF+, but what I do know is that his fastball is not much different than the one he used last year minus about an inch LESS of vertical movement. Yet batters put up a .376 XWOBA and a 46.6% Hard hit percentage against the pitch last year. 

So while STUFF+ may give him high grades this spring, major league hitters don't seem to be too impressed. I think STUFF+ probably has a long way to go before it's should be used in any meaningful evaluation of a major league pitcher.

An inch less vertical drop on the 4-seamer FB is a good thing, right?  Isn't that the 'ride' or 'hop' that messes with batters?

[Tony-OH]

2 minutes ago, btdart20 said:

An inch less vertical drop on the 4-seamer FB is a good thing, right?  Isn't that the 'ride' or 'hop' that messes with batters?

Yes, less vertical the better. 

[btdart20]

4 minutes ago, Tony-OH said:

Yes, less vertical the better. 

Right, thanks for clarifying.  Obviously, some cross currents (pros/cons) for Baumann but that's something.  That would put him around the 90th percentile.

[Tony-OH]

24 minutes ago, btdart20 said:

Right, thanks for clarifying.  Obviously, some cross currents (pros/cons) for Baumann but that's something.  That would put him around the 90th percentile.

I just don't think a little bit better vertical movement is going to suddenly give him a top 5 four seamer. I just really question the STUFF+ for now.