Baltimore Orioles: Michael Baumann Pitches Another Gem For Bowie

The Bowie Baysox are currently two games back of Erie (Detroit affiliate) in the hunt for the second-half lead and a spot in the Eastern League playoffs.  Just when they needed it, they got another dominant pitching performance from a Baltimore Orioles pitching prospect.

Baltimore Orioles prospect and Bowie Baysox right-hander Michael Baumann produced a dominant pitching performance on Wednesday night.  The Orioles 2017 third-round draft pick and ninth-ranked prospect according to MLB Pipeline tossed a complete game shutout over the Richmond Flying Squirrels (San Francisco affiliate).

For the record, the Baysox won the game, their 36th of the second half and their 66th overall, by a score of 4-0.  Center fielder Cedric Mullins (3 for 4, 1 double, 2 runs scored) and catcher Carlos Perez (2 for 4, 1 run scored, 1 home run, 3 RBI) did the majority of the damage on offense but the story of the night was Baumann.

The 6’4″ Baumann needed just 97 pitches (64 strikes) to dispose of the Flying Squirrels in 1 hour and 58 minutes at Prince George’s Stadium.  He faced 29 hitters (two over the minimum) and allowed four hits, all singles, while walking two and striking out seven in the game.

Baumann was aided by two double-plays turned by the Baysox defense and two base runners that Perez cut down attempting to steal second base. Overall, the game was the picture of efficiency.

More from Birds Watcher

• Baltimore Orioles Sign RP Mychal Givens
• Gunnar Henderson: Destroyer of Four-Seam Fastballs
• Which Current Baltimore Orioles Pitchers Have the Best Curveballs?
• Orioles News: Should the O’s Pursue Eovaldi? + More MLB News
• Should the Baltimore Orioles Consider Signing Nathan Eovaldi?

Baumann retired the first eight batters he faced before allowing a single to Johneshwy Fargas who was subsequently caught stealing to end the inning.  He also managed a total of four three-up-three-down innings in the game and had two innings end on double plays.  Baumann capped off the effort with three swinging strikeouts in the ninth inning; the final out coming after he surrendered a single to Heliot Ramos.

With the win, Baumann, who was promoted to Bowie on June 21st, improved his record to 3-2 over ten appearances (eight starts).  He is pitching to a 1.86 ERA over 53.1 innings with 50 strikeouts and 17 walks.  Wednesday’s effort was his second complete game for the Baysox.

Baumann’s previous complete game was his July 16th no-hitter over Harrisburg (Washington affiliate).  Starting with that no-hitter, he has made a total of six starts over 35.1 innings pitched.  Baumann’s record in that span is 2-1with a 2.55 ERA, 28 strikeouts and 11 walks.

The current ERA leader among active Baysox pitchers, Baumann’s two complete games tie him for the team lead with Bruce Zimmermann (currently with the Norfolk Tides).  His WHIP of 0.90 leads the pitching staff as well.

Baumann is representing himself quite well as he pitches for the Baysox; he has certainly come into his own following the promotion to Double-A.  All signs currently point to a spot in Norfolk in 2020 for this top-rated pitching prospect.