Trevor Bauer: Is Top 2011 MLB Draft Prospect the Next Tim Lincecum?

Trevor Bauer May Be Draft's Most Intriguing Pitching Prospect

If there's one thing that Bauer has proven during his college career, it's the fact that size doesn't matter.

Although he's the staff ace for the UCLA Bruins and one of the most successful college pitchers in the country, Bauer is scaring off some teams because of his unorthodox delivery and lack of size.

In fact, fellow starter and teammate Gerrit Cole is believed to be the pitcher of choice to go No. 1 overall because of his imposing stature (6'4", 220 lbs.) on the mound and ability to throw a plus-fastball.

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However, Bauer is not to be taken for granted, he may be small (6'1", 185 lbs) but his fastball has been clocked at 97-mph.  More importantly, he's a workhorse that almost always goes all the way whenever he pitches, every seventh day.

Jonah Keri of ESPN writes:

He's a rabid student of pitching, learning the value of pitch sequencing, as well as effective velocity (a pitch looks faster when released a couple of feet closer to home plate, making a long-striding delivery and big arm extension advantages for pitchers who can pull it off). Like Lincecum, Bauer relies on flexibility and athleticism more than brute strength to generate velocity and movement on his pitches. He works out with medicine balls and resistance bands, and steers clear of the weight room.

The Lincecum comparisons are uncanny.  But there's another former top pitching prospect that he has already surpassed after a strong showing in the College Baseball Regionals this past weekend.  Bauer has struck out more batters in the Pac-10 than former top pick Mark Prior.

Health remains a concern for Bauer, there's just no refuting that all the tools are there that could make him great. 

Forget about the skinny frame.  He can pitch and he can strike batters out at-will.

If he's anything like Lincecum, then there's no way teams should pass on a future Cy Young award winner.

For more 2011 MLB Draft coverage, including updated MLB Draft results and MLB Draft grades, stay tuned to Bleacher Report.

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