Joseph Bauserman

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #20 prospect in 2007
  Bauserman was a high school standout in both baseball and football. His father moved the family from Winchester, Va., to Tallahassee, Fla., after his son's sophomore year in order to increase his exposure and chances of getting a scholarship. It worked, as Bauserman signed to play quarterback at Ohio State, but he wound up choosing baseball when the Pirates gave him a $300,000 signing bonus as their fourth-round pick in 2004. He missed the final month of last season with shoulder tendinitis, but the condition wasn't considered serious and he has a solid build. Bauserman's fastball was clocked as high as 96 mph in high school, but has usually been at 90-92 in pro ball. He has outstanding secondary pitches and has continually tightened his curveball since becoming a pro. He also throws a good changeup that has the potential to become an above-average pitch. He needs to pitch off his fastball more because his curve and change are so good that he tends to rely too much on them at times. Bauserman is making steady progress and will begin 2007 in high Class A. He projects as a solid mid-rotation starter in the major leagues.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #18 prospect in 2006
  Bauserman was a two-sport, two-state star in high school, playing baseball in Florida and football in Virginia. He chose baseball after high school, signing with the Pirates for $300,000 as a 2004 fourth-round pick and passing up a scholarship to play quarterback at Ohio State. Bauserman has a strong pitcher's body and good loose arm action. The ball comes out of his hand easily and his fastball sits in the 90-92 mph range while reaching 95. His curveball has good downward bite and his changeup has the makings of a plus pitch. Some scouts though Bauserman showed bad body language during his debut season in the Gulf Coast League in 2004. He looked more mature on the mound last season and was one of the best pitchers on the Williamsport staff despite being young for the league. His slider could use some tightening, though it's only his fourth pitch. Bauserman is still somewhat raw and the Pirates see no need to rush him. He'll get his first taste of full-season ball this year in low Class A and isn't likely to reach the majors until the end of 2008 at the earliest.
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  Ranked Pittsburgh Pirates #25 prospect in 2005
  Like fellow Pirates prospect J.R. House, Bauserman was a two-sport star in high school who played in different states to maximize his exposure. Bauserman moved from Winchester, Va., to Tallahassee, Fla., in order to face better competition, and it paid off with a football scholarship to play quarterback at Ohio State. He passed up the chance to play for the Buckeyes and signed for a $300,000 bonus as a fourth-round pick last June. Befitting a big-time quarterback recruit, Bauserman has a strong arm. His fastball was clocked as high as 97 mph during his senior season of high school but was mainly 89-91 mph during his first taste of professional baseball as he wore down. He also has a good change of pace with an above-average curveball and a potentially outstanding changeup. He has a somewhat soft body and needs to build strength in order to maintain the velocity on his fastball. Bauserman's curveball has a sharp downward break but it won't become a plus pitch unless he commands it more consistently. He will either begin this season in low Class A or extended spring training, depending on how he fares this spring. Bauserman is a talented but raw prospect and likely won't reach the major leagues until at least 2008.