Trevor Bauer hasn’t lost his confidence in himself, that much was abundantly clear after he pitched on Sunday against a group of Dodgers minor leaguers.
The former major league pitcher, who was suspended a record 194 games for violating MLB’s domestic violence and sexual assault policy and then cut by the Dodgers, was back trying to make a case for his return while pitching for a Japanese tryout team called Asian Breeze.Â
“I just stay ready,’’ Bauer said, according to USA Today, “and maybe people somehow will remember that I’m still one of the best pitchers in the world.’’
Bauer pitched in front of roughly 100 or so fans Sunday, according to The Athletic.
Some of those fans had Bauer jerseys on or “Bring Back Bauer” t-shirts on, USA Today reported, but no MLB scouts were in attendance.
Bauer still showed flashes of what once made him a highly sought-after pitcher in the majors, hitting 99 mph on the radar gun.
“For those who saw me pitch,’’ Bauer said, “I think it was pretty obvious I was still elite. Telling hitters what pitch was coming, and getting outs. I think anyone who was here could see that the stuff was elite. Command is there. Shapes are there. All that.
“I’m a better pitcher now than I was the last time people here saw me. Hopefully, today reminded them that I’m still an elite pitcher. If not, that’s fine too.’’
Bauer’s campaign to draw some major league attention included telling reporters that he would take a major-league minimum salary of $740,000.
Bauer had spent last season pitching for Yokohama DeNA BayStars in Japan.
For now, Bauer has no more tryouts planned and will return to Scottsdale, Ariz., to continue his training in case a team decides to give him a shot.