Pittsburgh Pirates’ Shane Baz living dream, enjoying pro life

Pittsburgh Pirates 2017 first round pick Shane Baz is realizing his childhood dream in the Gulf Coast League.

Shane Baz remembers the moment he fell in love with baseball. He was nine years old on a mound when he accomplished a milestone.

“I knew I wanted to be a pro baseball player whenever I turned, probably, nine,” Baz said. “I had my first strikeout, and I was like, ‘I like pitching.’ That was my favorite part of baseball.”

Baz, a right-handed pitcher from Cypress, Texas, realized his childhood dream last month during the 2017 MLB Draft. The 18-year-old was taken with the 12th overall pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the third high school pitcher drafted.

“Getting my name called was pretty much a dream come true,” he said. “Just to have that dream come true has been a blessing, and I am so lucky to be a part of the Pirates.”

After visiting PNC Park, Baz reported to the GCL Pirates in Bradenton, Florida. The Concordia Lutheran High School product was impressed with Pittsburgh’s spring home, on and off the field.

“We have unbelievable facilities,” Baz said. “It’s in a really nice area with a lot to do. Pirate City is so nice. Everything is right there that you need. I couldn’t ask to be in a better place.”

Every morning, Baz wakes up at 6:00 a.m. and prepares to take the field two hours later. On non-starting days, he will complete his side-work, which can range from a bullpen session and conditioning to other drills. Once complete, he and his teammates eat lunch before their game, which normally starts at noon.

Following the 27th out, players are allowed to do whatever they please. And for the athletic 6’3″ right-hander, he has already developed a go-to hobby.

“I’ve gone to the beach a couple of times. I love going to the beach,” Baz said. “[In Texas] we have Galveston about two hours away, but it’s nothing near this [in quality].”

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Along with finding the best beach in Bradenton, Baz has already scoped out the nearest Waffle House. 

“I like to go to Waffle House the day before I pitch. That’s always fun when I get the chance; I love that place,” he said. “We got one about five minutes away from our complex.”

Through two professional starts, the 2017 Rawlings-Perfect Game 1st Team Preseason All-American has allowed just one run and recorded three strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings. 

“I’d say I’ve been doing fine,” Baz said. “It’s really different; I am still adjusting for sure, especially on the field. I’m learning as much as I can off the field, but just trying to take it one day at a time.

“I’m getting more flexible and stronger every day, and I’m getting in better shape.”

On the mound, Baz approaches hitters with a fastball that can touch 98 mph. Although he possesses a multitude of off-speed options, the flamethrower is always looking to pound the strike zone with heat.

“I want to dominate with my fastball — that really sets up every pitcher’s off-speed pitches,” explained Baz. “I try to dominate the whole game with it and, then, if I need a put-away pitch or if I think a guy is going to ambush me on a fastball, I’ll throw them a slider, curveball or a change-up depending on what I see.”

A pitch Baz has recently tinkered with is his cutter, which has now become a slider.

“It’s been really good,” he said. “I’ve turned it where it has a little more movement. I take a little bit off of it, as far as velo, and try to get more of a swing-and-miss pitch out of it.”

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The Texan said his pitch count is gradually being raised as it increases according to how he feels going into a start. Baz admits no indication has been given on how long he could remain in the GCL.

“I haven’t heard anything. For now, I’m in Bradenton until I hear otherwise,” he said. “I like it down here. It’s been a blast. I’m willing to finish wherever they want me to.”