DETROIT, MI – AUGUST 02: Trevor Bauer #27 of the Cincinnati Reds (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
Trevor Bauer has been nearly unhittable for the Cincinnati Reds.
Cincinnati Reds starter Trevor Bauer, who has long since mastered social media, is starting to put it all together on the mound. While his 2018 with the Cleveland Indians gave us a glimpse as to how good he can be, his 2020 season with Cincinnati has already reached historic heights,
Bauer, fresh off allowing just one hit during a complete-game shutout against the Kansas City Royals, has allowed just eight hits and two runs in his first four starts this season in addition to 41 strikeouts. Per Elias, this is the first time that a pitcher has ever recorded 40 or more strikeouts in their first four starts while allowing less than 10 hits.
Trevor Bauer is the frontrunner for the NL Cy Young at this point.
Bauer’s 0.68 ERA this season is the best in all of baseball. This is a sharp change from what Reds fans were treated to last season, as Bauer had a 6.39 ERA in 10 starts following his midseason trade from Cleveland. It’s safe to say Cincinnati like this version of Bauer much better.
While Bauer’s strikeout stuff is just as nasty as it was with the Indians, the biggest improvement he’s made in his game has been with regards to his control. Bauer, who once led the league in walks and gave out 82 free passes last year, has just seven walks issued through four starts this year. While Nick Castellanos and the lineup get most of the attention, Bauer and Luis Castillo are leading a resurgent rotation that might have enough juice to push the Reds into the postseason.
Bauer’s inconsistency in Cleveland was frustrating for Indians fans and non-Indians fans alike, as his nasty stuff gives him limitless potential. During both the 2018 season and this truncated 2020 campaign, he showed that he can be as unhittable on a daily basis as any starter in the league.