Trevor Bauer shines in first Spring Training start

Diamondbacks’ phenom Trevor Bauer stole the spotlight at Salt River Fields
Saturday in his first Spring Training start. The D-backs and Rockies game
finished in a 1-1 tie after 10 innings.

The former UCLA product tossed the first two innings and threw 21
pitches, 14 of which were strikes. More impressively, he threw a first pitch
strike to all six batters he faced.

Bauer stressed the importance of getting ahead in the count to his success
in Saturday’s outing.

“I was pleased with attacking the zone,” Bauer said. “That’s always my goal
to get ahead of guys and force them to swing the bat.”

Bauer fanned two Rockies hitters on the day, center fielder Dexter Fowler
and second baseman Marco Scutaro, the latter of which is one of the
tougher players in the league to strike out.

The 21-year-old right-hander retired all six batters he faced and induced
four ground ball outs.

Bauer started Saturday in place of injured prospect Tyler Skaggs, who was
scratched due to left shoulder soreness.

D-backs manager Kirk Gibson came away impressed with the effort of his
young right-hander, who had great command of his curveball.

“For a guy who probably had some emotions to deal with out there, some
of his secondary pitches were actually better than any time that he’s thrown
so far,” Gibson stated.

Bauer contends his curve is the best off speed pitch in his repertoire and he
had it working all game.

“I think I threw it pretty well today,” Bauer said. “I’ve had the best feel for it,
been throwing it for the longest, so I was pleased with where that’s at.”

While expectations must be tapered since it’s only the first Spring Training
game of 2012, it’s hard not to feel encouraged by Bauer’s rock solid debut.

Arizona Sports’ Bryan Gibberman contributed to this report

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