Mike Baumann, a knuckle-curve specialist, is making waves in the Mets' roster building discussions. While David Stearns' excitement lies in dumpster diving for relief arms, the Mets are intrigued by Baumann's potential. Despite a mediocre performance with the Yakult Swallows in Japan, his knuckle-curve has been praised by various models, scoring highly on movement and velocity. This pitch, along with a consistently above-average fastball, presents an intriguing opportunity for the Mets. The question remains: what adjustments or improvements could elevate Baumann's performance and make him a valuable asset? With the Mets' recent success in pitching development and Stearns' track record in building bullpens, there's a glimmer of hope for Baumann's future. Will he become the next big thing for the Mets, or will he remain a minor league signing with limited impact? The answer lies in the details of his pitch repertoire and the potential for growth.
