Shane
Baz

2/23/17 - First official start of the year, had a 60-pitch limit and logged four innings, allowing a run on three hits and a walk while striking out seven. Fastball ranged from 91-94 mph, touching 95. He surrendered a leadoff double in the first inning, a groundball down the third base line, but got around it with three consecutive strikeouts, all on his fastball. Two more whiffs to start the second gave him five in a row. He allowed a run in the third after a single, an error on a pickoff and walk put runners on first and third. The runner on first drew a pickoff throw and got in a rundown, allowing the runner on third to score. Last summer, Baz typically relied on his fastball and cutter/slider. While he mixed in the latter, he also showed a curveball at 76. His slider was 82-84. Both breaking balls weren’t at their best, but they did flash sharp, swing-and-miss break. Baz pitches with a medium leg kick, long stride and stays tall in his delivery. He has a short stroke in the back and a quick arm. Though he threw about two-thirds of his pitches for strikes, Baz lacked command and tended to leave his fastball up, causing it to flatten out.