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Trevor Bauer spent much of the 2013 season in Triple-A after the Cleveland Indians acquired him in December of 2012, and he struggled in the four starts he made for the Indians (5.29 ERA, 11 strikeouts and 16 walks). He didn’t pitch well enough this spring to earn a spot in the starting rotation, and all things considered starting the season in Triple-A was the best thing for him.
Bauer was called up to start part of a doubleheader against the San Diego Padres on April 9 and pitched well in a losing effort, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits with eight strikeouts and two walks over six innings. He went back to the minors after the game, and after another very good outing Tuesday (one run on six hits over 6.2 innings) Bauer has a 1.09 ERA and a 29:8 K/BB ratio in four starts for Triple-A Columbus this season.
Should fantasy baseball owners consider adding the former first-round pick?
The Indians have a fairly well-established starting rotation led by Justin Masterson, but some changes could come with Danny Salazar’s recent struggles and Carlos Carrasco posting a 7.31 ERA through his first three starts. Carrasco’s next scheduled start is Friday night against the San Francisco Giants, and if he struggles again Bauer is a logical choice to take his place in the rotation in fairly short order.
Bauer’s ownership percentage is likely to rise when he is called up, but without clarity on when that will be fantasy owners should not just blindly add him right now. I do think he is worth consideration in AL-only leagues though, if only to stash on the bench for the short-term, and if you’re in a keeper league where Bauer happens to be available I recommend adding him as soon as possible.
Brad Berreman is a Senior Writer at Rant Sports.com. Follow him on Twitter.
