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I couldn't figure out why he wasn't getting top-half-of-the-first pub after last year.  I thought I must be missing something, so I made it a point to watch him this year.
I still don't get it - he's fabulous.  When taro and I first started talking about him I think both of us expected the other to scoff at the idea of considering him with our pick.  That didn't happen. ;)
I just keep watching the body of work he's building up, the stuff that he has, the regimen that he uses...
I like it.  I really like the whole package.  As Lonnie notes, the team that drafts him needs to let HIM mess with his mechanics and stuff instead of letting some "pitching coach" rubber stamp him in their mold and mess him up.
He's unique.  Treat him like he's unique and he should be just fine.
Again, I get the love for Cole - one minor tweak in changeup velocity or whatever and he could destroy major leaguers forever.  He's got that Roger Clemens/Felix Hernandez "I can throw this stuff all day" body and approach, and he throws like he means to hurt somebody.
Bauer's a consummate competitor who walks to the beat of his own drum, does him own noodling with new pitches and approaches every offseason, and is competing against himself to be the best player he can be.
Cole's a boxer, looking to beat up and knock down everyone in his way.  This year he's throwing punches and whiffing more often, but he'll connect again soon enough.
Bauer's a golfer, looking for his version of perfection in an imperfect game.  It's an endless quest that only the best ever really undertake, because for everyone else beating their opponent is enough.  Besting themselves isn't what they're paid to do.
If we were drafting 7th I'd be screaming all draft day for Bauer to get to us.  I don't think we'll take him at #2 even if scouts and "experts" are finally coming around on him being a top-10 pitcher...as long as it's the end of the 10.
I'd take him.  As my man Satchel Paige said, "Just throw strikes.  Home plate don't move."  Bauer throws strike after strike after strike, with made up pitches and variations on those pitches and pure heat and everything in between.
Paige used to make up pitches, too.  I can't help it, I love me a thinking pitcher who is the master of his own destiny and takes it in both hands.
Maybe I'm wrong, and Bauer's repertoire of 50-rated pitches (ha) won't cut it in the bigs.
Somebody's gonna find out, and I wouldn't mind if it's us.
~G