When Mike Baumann thinks back to his time in the Orioles organization, his mind quickly returns to the champagne shower in the clubhouse last September after the club clinched its first playoff appearance since 2016.
Baumann was traded to the Seattle Mariners along with Triple-A Norfolk catcher Michael Pérez for Blake Hunt on May 22. This came after the reliever was designated for assignment on May 18 to make room for Grayson Rodriguez’s return from the injured list. Baumann had been in the organization since he was drafted in 2017.
Many around the Orioles’ clubhouse gravitated toward Baumann’s vibrant personality during his time with the team. On the day he was designated, manager Brandon Hyde told the media Baumann was an “incredible person, unbelievable teammate and a first-class pro in every single way.”
“It’s been a gloomy morning,” Hyde added.
Baumann was with the organization during the lowest moments of its rebuild from 2018 to 2021. The major league team never finished above fourth place in the AL East, but Baumann continued to work his way up the ladder in hopes of making a positive contribution.
That he did, making 94 appearances for Baltimore from his call-up in September 2021 through his last relief outing on May 17. The 6-foot-4, 240-pound right-hander posted a 4.45 ERA and 1.44 WHIP as an Oriole, his best season coming last year when he recorded a 10-1 record with a 3.76 ERA in 60 appearances.
“Going through the minor leagues, having some of those dark years and just seeing how every individual guy handles failure,” Baumann said on Glenn Clark Radio July 3. “And then over the years coming out on top, going to the playoffs, champagne showers in the clubhouse, I think that just kind of gives you a bigger picture of what this game’s about.”
Baumann worked as a starter in the minors before finding his place in the bullpen with the major league club. He made four starts with the Orioles in 2022 but shifted to the bullpen the following spring.
Baumann is grateful for the opportunity the Orioles offered him, and while being traded was bittersweet, he was also looking forward to a fresh start in Seattle.
“I got drafted by the team, and when that happens — they helped fulfill my lifelong dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player — being that first team, that made it hard,” Baumann said. “I developed a lot of relationships over the years, but at the same time it’s really exciting to see what that next chapter would hold.”
Baumann’s Mariners faced off against the Orioles in Seattle earlier this month. The former Oriole pitched one inning of relief in the first contest, allowing one hit on no runs while striking out one. Baumann was excited to face off against former teammate Cedric Mullins in particular. He remembers allowing a home run last time they faced off, at the alternate training site during the 2020 COVID season.
This time, Mullins popped out to second base.
“It was probably a little bit more trying to do a little too much,” Baumann said. “I was just trying to tell myself, ‘Just do what you do. Throw it over the plate and see what happens.'”
Baumann has pitched to a 5.87 ERA with 16 strikeouts in 15.1 innings since the trade. Despite enjoying his time with the Orioles, he says he’s gained more confidence knowing the Mariners sought him out and targeted him in a trade.
“It definitely gave me a lot of confidence,” Baumann said. “Coming into the clubhouse and hearing how much they wanted me, it just made me feel more welcome. … It really made the transition a lot easier just knowing these guys actually want me to play for them and go out and compete for them.”
For more from Baumann, listen to the full interview here:
Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/PressBox