Trevor Bauer is going to be on HBO’s Real Sports on Tuesday night at 10pm. The trailer for the episode has the Cincinnati Reds starter talking about using pine tar within the game, and touches on how he initially accused the Houston Astros of using it several years ago.
But the description of the interview with Trevor Bauer sounds like that’s not really the focus of what they talked about. Instead it seems like the focus will be more on his approach to pitching and how he uses technology to try and get the most out of his game.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher Trevor Bauer is one of the most outspoken and unusual athletes in all of professional sports whose scientific approach to his craft, utilizing tools like radar technology and high speed cameras, has revolutionized the art of baseball.
Bauer, of course, has been on the front line of the whole pitch tracking phenomenon that has overtaken baseball analysis in the last half-decade. The Trackman system was offering a little bit more than the old Pitch F/X camera system was, and Bauer picked up his own Trackman system to try and figure out why things did, or didn’t work. It allowed him to work on things on his own to try and figure out how different grips did different things. Ultimately he would wind up joining up with Driveline Baseball to learn more.
Of course, Driveline Baseball has become quite involved with the Cincinnati Reds in the last few years, too. The organization has had more than a few players over the last handful of years work with their team just outside of Seattle. And then following last season the Reds hired two of Driveline Baseball’s biggest names. Driveline Baseball’s founder Kyle Boddy took over as the Director of Pitching Initiatives and Pitching Coordinator. Eric Jagers also joined the organization as the Assistant Pitching Coordinator in the farm system after spending 2019 as the Philadelphia Phillies pitching strategist. Prior to that he had worked in a variety of roles for Driveline Baseball.
Photo of Trevor Bauer by Erik Drost. Photo has been edited. License can be found here.
I just didn’t understand the Puig- Bauer trade . Puig was a good power hitter, excellent right fielder, very durable player and seemed to be a fan favorite. yes, he had some weird antics but he always gave 100% between the lines. I was sad to see him go
right handed power hitting corner outfielders are easier to come by than starting pitchers with Bauer’s “stuff”
There has to be more to it. The fact Puig has been treated as anathema by all clubs this offseason says something. Exactly what is debatable.
But doesn’t it mean something to you that nobody has signed Puig yet? The Reds got a year and a 1/2 of starting pitching, pretty much the most important part of the game, for a guy that isn’t currently in the league. I think it’s pretty fair to say the Reds won the daylights out of that deal, especially if Bauer really delivers this season.
We don’t need Puig sooooooo
This is a guy who needs to have a good year or maybe think about coaching
He’s had four consecutive above-average years.
It’s true. Not sure why I’m down on him-
I think because he turned into a puddle of goo last year, but has also never really blown me away like some guys.y post was just a snarky, unnecessary joke that if he posts another 6+ ERA season, he’s going to struggle in free agency.
Another angle to consider—if Reds don’t get Bauer, then it’s unlikely (?) that Kyle Boddy comes on to the Reds’ coaching/development staff.
Adding Boddy has the potential to impact the club exponentially. Time will tell.
I date back to the old Frank Robinson days and I don’t know I just cringe every time the reds trade a good position player for a pitcher. It just always seems to favor the other team. And I know there are exceptions but generally it seems like we wind up regretting it.
Take comfort in knowing that Puig has not been, is not, and will never be as good as Frank Robinson was.
So at least it can’t sting like that one did.
If it helps:
Player A: .252/.302/.475 95 OPS+
Player B: .271/.331/.466 102 OPS+
Player C: .269/.357/.473 111 OPS+
In 2019 with the Reds, Player A was Puig, Player B was Ervin, Player C was Winker. Except for the defense, they already have Puig on this team, plus Castellanos and Moose now.
Thanks, Matt. I toyed with suggesting that Ervin gives the same as Puig with a deference on defense, and you came through with data!
Bauer came over and basically sucked the 2nd half of the season going like 4-7 with a 6 ERA. Seems to me he should focus on improving himself and the team and leave the distractions out of the equation. I don’t see him doing one bit of good and what’s the old saying? Ye without sin be thy first to cast the stone?
He said on an interview that he’s not in this for the money. But, in the very next sentence, he stated he’s not going to sit there and sign a low value contract.
That sounds like bassackward talking to me. If he wants to get paid good money, he better do good. For, if he doesn’t, not too many people are going to be interested in his services next season. Oh, some may be, but not too many.
Then, he also said he wants to pitch with winners, teams in contention, etc. Well, if he doesn’t pitch well, then there aren’t going to be very many teams in contention looking for his services. Oh, they may offer him a high incentive contract, but nothing more.
My hopes? I hope he does do well this season. Then, after the season, we let him walk. And, hopefully, Boddy’s stuff will be enough this season to get some young buck to step up and be ready to fill that void next season.