Collin
Baumgartner

After receiving a couple of below slot offers in the fourth & fifth rounds of this year’s MLB Draft, Baumgartner did not sign, instead betting on himself and returning to campus this fall. At 6-foot-6, 240 pounds Baumgartner has always shown arm strength, routinely sitting 95-96 in shorter stints over the past year-plus. However, his secondary offerings lagged behind and he began work this fall semester to improve them. Last fall he showed an early-breaking, low-80s slider with occasional late bite at the plate and a firm, work-in-progress changeup at 88 mph. Through some adjustments this fall his slider now arrives to the plate 3-5 mph harder (84-87) with much greater consistency in its later action and shorter break than previous seasons. According to Rapsodo data it now spins in the 2300 rpm range with spin efficiency in the mid-30s. The change has developed as well, now low-spinning in the 1400 rpm range at 83-85 mph. These improvements have given Baumgartner multiple pitches he can throw for a strike, and all from the same release point. He also progressed with his feel to throw them out of the zone to get additional swing and miss. In ten innings pitched this fall the big righthander allowed no runs on just three hits, while walking two and punching out 15.

7.31.16 - Verbally committed to Southern Illinois-Edwardsville.

9/15/19:Less than one year afterour initial look last fall, 6-foot-6, 240 pound RHPCollin Baumgartnerhas taken his stuff to another level. Showing good arm strength during a recent look, his fastball sat 95-96 from the windup in the first inning. Showed an early breaking, low-80s slider with occasional good bite at the plate. Worked from the stretch at 90-92 in the second inning, while maintaining the same low-80s velo on his slider. Also threw one firm changeup at 88 mph, a work in progress pitch. Overall, Baumgartner profiles as a reliever at the next level and currently projects to be a mid-to-late round selection on Day Two. (Seifert)

10/3/2018:Six-foot-6, 220 pound righty ran his heavy FB up to 92 mph from a three-quarter slot. Sat 90-91 in the first. 87-90 during the second. Late bore at the plate induced many swing/misses. After flashing an average slider at 83 mph with his first offering, all others ranged from 79-81 as he released on the side of the ball, giving the pitch a long break with flat plane. Threw one CH at 80 mph showing limited feel. After an effective first inning, he turned out of sync in the second, allowing one run on one hit and four walks. Baumgartner looked to be the top 2020 draft prospect for the Cougars, but at this point, he’s more of a thrower with a lively FB than a high pitchability starter. (Seifert)