Gerik Baxter Stats & Scouting Report

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Baxter struggled at the beginning of 2000, his first full pro season, going 1-3, 6.96 in his first seven starts. Then he hit his stride, posting a 1.71 ERA and limiting opponents to a .190 average the rest of the way. The only downside came in late June, when he was hit in the head by a line drive and missed seven weeks with a concussion. Baxter has a 92-93 mph fastball that can touch 96. At times, his slider gives him a second plus pitch. He has a surprisingly advanced changeup for his age. He keeps the ball in the park, allowing just eight homers in 161 pro innings, and challenges hitters. Baxter was supposed to pitch in Australia this winter, but he left after one outing with what's considered a minor elbow problem. His biggest need is to develop a consistent delivery. If he does that, he should throw more strikes and improve his secondary pitches. After resting his elbow, Baxter should be 100 percent by spring training. He'll move up to Lancaster in 2001 and probably will stay there for the entire season. He's at least two years away from being ready for the majors.

Baxter was the first of the four pitchers San Diego chose in the first round of the 1999 draft. He was just hitting his stride in June when he was hit in the head by a line drive, effectively ending his season. Before he got hurt, Baxter regularly threw his fastball at 92-93 mph and topped out at 96 mph. He also showed an above-average slider and changeup. As is the case with most young pitchers, his main needs are to fine-tune his command and improve his consistency. He’s not quite as smooth and polished as Peavy.
Baxter stepped into the league at midseason from the Arizona League and didn't miss a beat. He throws a fastball that tops out at 96 mph; a hard, biting curveball; and a developing changeup. Managers were unanimous in praise of Baxter's makeup and poise on the mound. "I compare him to David Cone in his body type and in his raw stuff," Idaho Falls manager Don Werner said. "He had tremendous poise and command for a kid right out of high school."
Like his teammate Faison, Baxter was promoted to the Northwest League midway through the summer, but he left a strong impression on the league's managers before he left. "Baxter was extremely impressive," Kuehl said. "He threw his fastball in the 94-96 range and had a hard, hard curveball that he threw for strikes. You just don't see that combination very much on a kid right out of high school."

Baxter was the first of the four pitchers San Diego chose in the first round of the 1999 draft. He was just hitting his stride in June when he was hit in the head by a line drive, effectively ending his season. Before he got hurt, Baxter regularly threw his fastball at 92-93 mph and topped out at 96 mph. He also showed an above-average slider and changeup. As is the case with most young pitchers, his main needs are to fine-tune his command and improve his consistency. He’s not quite as smooth and polished as Peavy.