Christian
Baaki

Preseason - East (February 22, 2018)

Standing 6-foot-2, 175-pounds with a body frame build to hold more positive weight. Hard work is staring to pay off for the Junior catching prospect, his home-to-first time has improved from a 4.75 to a 4.35, exit velocity is up 8-mph to 79, catching arm-strength up 8-mph to 73 producing his best pop-times yet at 2.15-2.22. At the plate, he's relaxed from the left-side, slightly crouched with a wide stance. On the pitch he uses a small knee lift and stride for timing, short and compact to the ball, natural lift to his swing path, consistent contact with some gap-to-gap signs. Defensively, receives from a deep stance, average size target. On his throws his transfer is clean, direct to his ear from a short arm-action, throws mostly on target. Continued focus on added arm-strength will help take his game to another level. Expect to see more gains by this summer.

Baaki has an athletic frame at 6-foot-0 170 pounds, running a 8.15 60 and 4.75 home-to-1B. Offensively- Sets up in a wide stance, from a deep crouch with bat semi-flat over his back shoulder. Short take back with an up-down stride; stays behind the ball with an aggressive lower half into contact. Front side rolls open with the swing; 2-handed finish with pull side, through the middle line drives and gap results. Exit velocity peaked at 71 MPH but plays better then that. Defensively- Spread setup with his secondary position; quick exchange from glove to hand with a slight delay between his footwork finishing and the throw starting. Arm strength was 65 MPH with pop times ranging between 2.31-2.40. Framework is there on both sides of the ball with offensive skills ahead of skill set behind the plate.