Player Spotlight (CA): 2019 RHP/OF Ryan Baum

Los Altos has been having a banner season with 8 and 13 game winning streaks working their way towards the final week of this season and a likely playoff spot. One of the reasons for their success has been the steady presence from 2019 RHP/OF Ryan Baum who has been their ace on the hill and a key piece of their high-scoring offense. The large, squared up frame is sturdy with the space to keep adding strength to it while maintaining his athleticism. That athleticism can be seen when he’s on the mound, roaming in the OF or in his swing at the plate.

On the mound, he has shown a loose and easy arm that has some length down before getting to it’s 3/4 release point matching it with a smooth and efficient delivery that he can easily repeat. This season in 10 starts, Baum has had 6 complete games while pitching 62 Innings and striking out 55 working efficiently to a 1.23 ERA and .193 batting average against. The fastball sits 82-84 T85 MPH with angle down the hill and through the bottom part of the zone showing late life at the plate and inducing weak contact. His curveball works between 68-72 MPH with the ability to change the shape between a 11/6 with feel into zone and a 11/4 to get swing and miss. His best ones have late actions off the plate and through the zone. The changeup 77-80 MPH showed bottom and is used to change sequences in viewings.

At the plate, Baum’s left hand swing shows loft and the ability to produce loud, hard contact through the pull side and middle of the field. Balanced and wide, the swing works on an upwards arc through the zone with a high finish through contact. When he’s on the pitch it has the ability to jump off the bat producing in the top of the lineup all season. He’s an agile runner using the length in his legs and angles in his turns to be able to stand up for extra-base hits and to go 1st-to-3rd. This season he’s hitting .366/.434/.512 including  8 doubles, 2 triples, driving in 26 runs. Defensively he’s shown good range in the OF with the ability to cut strong angles keeping the ball in front of him and the athleticism to make plays. His strong arm fits in either corner OF spot and regularly puts the ball on the bag preventing runners from taking extra bases.

A three year Varsity player, Baum has continued to improve all facets of his game with the  frame that projects more strength in the next couple years. Teams looking for a late addition that could impact the roster next year should get a look at this 2019 two-way player.

Take a look at some video from this season: