Trevor Bauer isn't your typical freshman.
The 18-year-old right-hander carries a deceptive delivery towards the plate, and combines that with a mound presence that is not often seen from freshmen hurlers. Following this rock-and-turn motion, Bauer releases a mid-90s fastball and a variety of overpowering breaking pitches. So far it's been working - Bauer has fanned 22 batters in just eight appearances this season.

If it seems that Bauer's tools are developed beyond his age, that's because they are.
Bauer signed a grant-in-aid and enrolled at UCLA in January after graduating early from Newhall's Hart High School, giving the Bruins a tandem of Bauer and fellow freshman right-hander Gerrit Cole.
After virtually experiencing the rigors of collegiate baseball as a high school senior, Bauer is now preparing for his first set of final exams. Though he hasn't missed a beat on the mound, the academic change is something he notices.
“These last few weeks, missing quite a bit of class (while on the road), I’ve realized that I have to stay current with the work,” he said. “I’m basically playing catch up a lot more than in high school.”
Away from the classroom, Bauer (1-3) touts a solid 2.45 ERA - but perhaps most notably, leads the Bruins in innings pitched with 22. Those are not typical numbers for a freshman, especially one that skipped his final season of high school ball.
Bauer, a starter in high school and a former first-team All-CIF Southern Section selection, made his first start of the season last week against San Diego State after beginning the season as UCLA's primary closer. He said he has no preference between taking the hill at the start of the game or as a reliever.
“I want to pitch, so whenever they give me the chance I’m going to take it,” Bauer said.
That's the mindset that coach John Savage wants in his relievers, and especially the type of attitude needed in a late-inning pitcher. But Bauer made a case for himself as a starter as well against the Aztecs last Wednesday, allowing a run on two hits and striking out four in six innings. Bauer does not know when his next start will be.
“I train myself to be a starter," he said. "But any way that I can help the team out is good with me. I just want to win, that’s all.”
Photo by Kimberly Lajcik/Bruin senior staff