Ryan
Baum

At Palo Alto - Uncommitted. Large frame with length in limbs and lean build; projectable frame with space for more growth at maturity. Showed his defensive skill in the OF and swing that created hard contact. Balanced, slightly bent knees with even hands and flared elbows. Small foot lift with controlled forward movement as hands lift before rotating and driving back elbow into body showing compact barrel that works with extension through the zone. Barrel creates easy lift working with pendulum effect driving through the ball. Showed pull-side power with long 3B into RCF gap before another long F9. Just missed another long hit driving another deep ball into RCF, but CF made an unbelievable catch to make the play. Runs well under way with long legs striding out (4.84T). Showed athletic ability in OF tracking the ball well; great angle on 1B past 3B getting to it quickly and showing off his arm strength putting the ball on the bag at 2nd to prevent runner advancing. Strong arm (also their top Pitcher) with easy actions and loose arm. One of the top uncommitted 2019 players in this area

At Saratoga - Uncommitted. Long, lean and large frame with squared shoulders and high waist; still room in frame for added strength. The delivery starts with hands at the chin dropping to waist on side step and pause. Shows strong posture and coil around back hip with high front knee as hands stay at waist while body drives down the hill; back hip rides the slope finishing athletically over strong front leg. Length with small wrist wrap down behind his hip before 3/4 release; arm is loose and easy with limited effort and ball is hard to pick up out of glove. Delivery is smooth and efficient showing athletic ability and flexibility in the hips while maintaining his line and repeating his movements. FB 82-84 T85 MPH pounding both sides of the plate with angle and life late at the plate; hitters were regularly late on the pitch with constant weak contact and swing and miss when going up the ladder (6 K). FB had times where it showed some 2-seam arm-side run as well. CB 68-71 MPH with ability to change shape between 11/6 having feel into zone and 11/4 for swing and miss having late actions off the plate and through the zone (4 K). CHG 77-80 MPH was used very sparingly showing some bottom; didn’t need the pitch in the outing but flashed the makings of a solid 3rd pitch. Fantastic outing allowing 2 hits and 1R (0ER) for his 6th complete game of the season. Even tempo the entire outing and not fazed by mistakes or guys on bases and regularly on the attack. The body just needs to continue to strengthen and add weight looking like he’s got another jump in velocity soon. If I were at a spot with the room to roster and develop a pitcher, I would be all over this kid

Vs Pioneer - Uncommitted. On base three times during DH only look. Large, long frame that is lean and wiry showing a high waist and length in the legs. Can easily add strength to the frame without taking away from profile. At the plate, stands wide and balanced with high back elbow keeping hands on the back shoulder. Rocks into back hip with a small controlled foot lift as hands work back and up before finishing over stiff front leg; generally landing with balance upon stride, but times where he gets heavy on front foot pushing body forward. Swing has a short arc finishing high up in front shoulder; barrel is quick into zone but times where it is out quickly as well. Liked his middle of the field approach and ability to keep the hands tight to the body. Short choppy steps with decent foot speed (4.5 H-1st, slipping out of box on groundout to 2nd base). Projectable frame and swing from left-side with athletic frame. Will need to come back to see him more on defense/mound.

9/28/19 VS Trosky Fall Ball

Long and lanky frame with wide shoulders and firm build projecting well. Baum was a guy I saw during my 2019 spring coverage at Los Altos and continues to show as a guy who projects with a clean arm and stuff that has ticked up since the spring season. Showed well in his one inning, getting around a HBP by striking out two and getting an easy ground ball. Stays tall on the mound as the hands work down to his waist and holds through an average front knee getting drive from the back leg down the hill and gaining extension with the front leg. The long, loose arm works cleanly showing the ability to carry through the arm-slot and creating tight backspin. FB 86-88 with angle attacking the glove-side; really pounds the zone with the pitch. CHG 78-79 with hard bottom; able to locate inside the zone or get it through the zone for swing-and-miss. A strong spring after two above-average seasons at Los Altos could see him being a highly coveted piece for a team.