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2019 MLB Draft: Tyler Baum drafted by Oakland A’s

By Zack Pearson

ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 21: Oakland Athletics hats and gloves during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on May 21, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. Oakland Athletics won 1-0. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 21: Oakland Athletics hats and gloves during a baseball game against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark on May 21, 2013 in Arlington, Texas. Oakland Athletics won 1-0. (Photo by Brandon Wade/Getty Images) /
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UNC Baseball pitcher Tyler Baum became the second Diamond Heel to be selected in the 2019 MLB Draft on Monday night

As the North Carolina Tar Heels prepare to host the Super Regional round against Auburn with a trip to the College World Series on the line, pitcher Tyler Baum found out more about his future in the game of baseball.

On Monday night, Baum was selected with the 66th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Amateur Draft by the Oakland Athletics. The A’s took Baum after taking Logan Davidson out of Clemson earlier in the first round.

Baum was the second UNC player picked on Monday night, following Michael Busch who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Baum is coming off a fantastic past two weeks in which he has helped the Tar Heels win the 2019 Atlantic Coast Conference Tournament and then the Chapel Hill Regional just this past weekend.

The junior is  7-3 with a 3.95 ERA this season and has 92 strikeouts and 25 walks in 86 2/3 innings. His fastball is in the low 90s, topping out around 94 MPH and was ranked No. 100 overall by MLB Pipeline for this draft.

Here is the scouting report on Baum from MLB Pipeline:

"Baum can display four pitches that earn solid or better grades at their best. As a starter, he works at 90-92 mph and reaches 94 with his fastball, creating some armside run with some crossfire in his delivery. He uses his high-three-quarters arm slot to stay on top of an upper-70s curveball that is often his best pitch, and he also can manipulate it into a harder, more lateral-breaking slider in the low 80s."

As for his role with the A’s moving forward, NBC Sports Bay Area is reporting that Oakland plans on using him as a starter as opposed to a reliever for his career.

Baum had a rough sophomore season for UNC, posting an ERA of 4.57 in 65 innings worked but did have 74 strikeouts. This season he has lowered that ERA to 3.91 in 72 2/3 innings pitched for the Tar Heels while striking out 82 batters.

The right-handed pitcher will be on the mound this weekend as UNC takes on Auburn for a shot at the College World Series.

dark. Next. Tar Heels advance to Super Regionals

For more on Baum and other Diamond Heels, please check back with Keeping It Heel.

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