Drafted in the 10th round (310th overall) by the Minnesota Twins in 2012 (signed for $125,000).
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Baxendale had come on strong down the stretch for Arkansas, which might mitigate an ugly start to a season that began with great expectations. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound righthander always has relied on an excellent curveball as his putaway pitch; it allowed him to thrive as a reliever as a freshman and post a 1.58 ERA as a sophomore starter. Baxendale was pitching at 88-90 mph with his fastball early in the season, while his breaking ball was down to the 69-72 mph range. He regained some zip later in the season, as he stopped overthrowing and trying to pitch to the radar gun. Baxendale figured to be picked later than his brother Blake, a prep catcher in Arkansas, but it's possible both players could suit up for the Razorbacks next season.
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Baxendale had come on strong down the stretch for Arkansas, which might mitigate an ugly start to a season that began with great expectations. The 6-foot-2, 190-pound righthander always has relied on an excellent curveball as his putaway pitch; it allowed him to thrive as a reliever as a freshman and post a 1.58 ERA as a sophomore starter. Baxendale was pitching at 88-90 mph with his fastball early in the season, while his breaking ball was down to the 69-72 mph range. He regained some zip later in the season, as he stopped overthrowing and trying to pitch to the radar gun. Baxendale figured to be picked later than his brother Blake, a prep catcher in Arkansas, but it's possible both players could suit up for the Razorbacks next season.
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