=== Waterboy Dept. ===

Folks on the radio have been talking about 19-year-old Steve Baron in the first few days of training camp.  Calls reporters "sir" and "ma'am," can't do enough to please people, runs everywhere he goes, etc. etc.

Think it was Larry LaRue laughing about Baron's reaction when Ken Griffey Jr. walked in... for two days "it was like the puppy following the tennis ball, you move your hand right, his head tracks with you..."

"He's a charmer" was a phrase we heard about 42 times on the radio.

..........

What had happened, according to Baron in his live segment, was that Baron's dad wanted Steve to go to Duke and study medicine.  Roger Hanson camped out around the Barons' house for two weeks, did the wine-and-dine, and when they spread the contract out in front of Steve, "it was just tough to turn down."

According to Steve, the Barons were looking at a baseball career at Duke and then Steve being drafted VERY high when he came out after college.  Lots more money, and med school after baseball etc.

The clincher, apparently, was when the M's offered Baron an invite to this year's spring training...  would that be a little tough for you to turn down?    Now for me that would be quite the sweetener... bear in mind that a lot of minor leaguers never get that experience...

Mama was supportive of whatever Steve wanted to do.  Heh.

.

=== Addicted to Glove Dept. ===

From various sources around the 'net, Baron is special-class with the catcher's mitt.

• Arm strength well above average by pro standards
• Quick release
• Plus-plus arm accuracy even compared to high minor leaguers
• Ultra-soft hands
• "Plays catcher as if he were a shortstop behind the plate"

As SSI readers know, catchers do have to have big throwing arms, but what separates is the quickness of feet.

It's a stretch to "scout" a catcher based on a bullpen session, but Baron drew praise from several sources for the way that he caught Felix Hernandez -- the soft mitt that "absorbs" and "welcomes" a ball from the pitcher.

Funny story Drayer told about Baron finally having one get away in front of him, and instinctively (nervously) scrambling out to get it -- right in the firing line of several pitchers ready to take his head off.  Range instructor has to ring the alarm and screech, "Gentlemen, open your actions and put your guns on the table"... :- )

.

=== BaseballHQ ===

MLBA has Baron in their book already (available at this link).  Their take:

• Glove-first, no-hit SS-2* with mature defense already
• Glove will probably get him major-league playing time
• Holes in swing, high K's, could take a long time to develop
• Minus PWR
• Minus HIT
• Minus SPD
• Plus-Plus DEF

They've got Baron as going 19-for-106 (yowch) in his rookie league debut, with a 6% BB rate and 36% K rate.  Against rookie-league pitchers.

..............

As a rule, SSI views this archetype as a waste of time, since there are any number of pretty receivers who can't hit the ball out of the infield against Jered Weaver.  Ninety percent of these highschoolers peak at a 40 OPS+ ...

If the Mariners (or G and J) were to tell us, no, he's got a shot to hit for the league average ten years from now, then fine.

It's one of those things where, okay, suppose he becomes everything you expect.  Do you want him then?

...............

One ML comparison is Jim Sundberg, who had the rep for being a clinic behind the plate, with mediocre-poor hitting skills. 

Actually, Sundberg got to where he could chip in with the bat, and Sundberg was the starting catcher for the Bret Saberhagen 1985 Royals championship squad ... I'd like to see Sundberg's CERA's compared to his teammates'.  In 1985, the Royals' ERA+ was 119.  Sensational.

HQ grades the teenaged Baron 7D, meaning, 30% chance to start in the majors.  That's a significant org resource.

Cheers,

Dr D