If there was one other place I would have liked to have been on Saturday night it was Visalia, California. Somewhere in the central valley between Bakersfield and Fresno, Visalia probably has a lot going for it (like farms and cow factories) but right now, it is also the home to the future of the Arizona Diamondback -- one young Mr. Trevor Bauer.
↵Bauer, just days off signing his big league deal well-ahead of the typical August 15 deadline, quickly flew from Phoenix to Visalia (is there an airport there?) so he could do what he loves to do, pitch and dominate.
↵In his pro debut Bauer went the two innings the team limited him to in his first start since June 4 and gave up no runs, one hit, and struck out three batters.
↵There's a must read, fantastic and full recap of his first game by Ashley Marshall on Minorleaguebaseball.com. (Don't miss the detailed explanation of his unusual pregame routine.)
↵↵↵"I was average, run of the mill," Bauer said. "I could have been better, but I learned a lot, and that is the most important thing. If you're looking at tonight on results, then I'd rate it pretty high. I was learning what works and what doesn't work. And on that basis, it was a success.
↵"I made some adjustments after my first pitches and then got in a rhythm. Sometimes it takes time to get comfortable on the mound."
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I can't wait to see this kid pitch live, he's the most exciting prospect since Justin Upton was drafted first overall in 2005 out of high school.
↵Bauer, who won the 2011 Golden Spikes Award, pitched three dominating years for UCLA and is much closer to being ready for a Major League debut than Justin was.
↵We don't want to over hype the young man, but at the same time -- GET HERE SOON, TREVOR!!!
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In a photo provided by the Arizona Diamondbacks, Arizona Diamondbacks' first-round draft pick Trevor Bauer, center, is joined by Jerry Dipoto, right, vice president of scouting and player development, and Ray Montgomery, scouting director, as Bauer holds his new jersey Monday, July 25, 2011, in Phoenix. (AP Photo/Arizona Diamondbacks, Jonathan Willey)