D-backs manager says Trevor Bauer will figure it out

Trevor Bauer finally made his highly anticipated debut for
the Diamondbacks, throwing 74 pitches and striking out
three in a 3-2 win over Atlanta last week.

The third overall pick in the 2011 MLB Draft, Bauer lit
Triple-A Reno on fire with a 4-0 record and a 2.82 ERA
before getting the call to the Majors. However, Bauer’s
debut was less than extraordinary, as he was pulled after
the 4th inning, giving up five hits and walking three.

But Diamondbacks Manager Kirk Gibson maintains that Bauer
is just going through the process of adapting to the
demanding work that Major League Baseball requires. And
yes, this includes the wacky
pregame warm-ups Bauer has been known for.

“Trevor is figuring it out on his own,” said Gibson on
Monday. “We understand how he has gotten to where he is
today. I think that if he feels fatigued or tired, he’ll
make an adjustment. If he feels great, he’s going to stick
on it.”

Gibson also reminded critics of Bauer’s performance that
this is the first year he’s being asked to throw every
fifth day, and that for a highly-anticipated debut of a
top-collegiate prospect, nerves can be a factor.

“I would have a hard time believing anybody that
participated in their first major league competition would
feel exactly like they [just rose] out of bed and had a
cup of coffee.

“Part of it is internally, how do we know how much he puts
on himself,” said Gibson. “I think by looking down the
bench when I removed him from the [Atlanta] game that he
was disappointed in himself. That’s something he’ll have
to get through.”

Bauer is slated to start Tuesday against San Diego in the
21-year-old’s first game at Chase Field, and Gibson thinks
he’ll have a much better outing in front of the D-backs
faithful.

“[I] think he’s got good work in between,” said Gibson.
“It’ll be his second start; it’s not going to be as
overwhelming.”

For better or worse, Gibby plans on keeping Bauer around
“as long as he’s healthy.”

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