Durham Bulls Shane Baz Earns MiLB Pitcher of the Month Honors

DURHAM NC – Durham Bulls right-hander Shane Baz earned MiLB Pitcher of the Month honors for June after making just a handful of starts with Durham. Baz compiled a 3-0 record in 24 innings of work while supporting a stunning 0.75 ERA. However, his command stands out, striking out 20 batters compared to just three free passes. Between spending time in Montgomery and Durham in 2021, his total statistics consist of a record of 3-4 with 2.09 ERA in 11 starts, including 77 strikeouts to an eye-popping eight walks.

Baz has been the ace the Bulls have been waiting for all season long. Now with Luis Patino back with the Rays after being called up last Friday, the club will have to depend on the young phenom for as long as he stays put in the minors. The recognition and dominance could force the Rays hand to call him up earlier than expected eventually but Baz will continue to produce on the bump.

He picked up where he left off in June and brought that momentum into the month of July, going 5 strong innings versus the Stripers this past Saturday. He allowed two hits, one earned run, three walks, and fanned eight. The three walks were season-worst, but he was still nearly unhittable, pumping 95 mph plus throughout the outing. Opponents are hitting just .182 versus the 22-year-old, and that speaks volumes of how unbelievable he has pitched. It should only be the beginning of what could be a very successful MLB career.

It is only a matter of time that Baz will be called up to Tampa Bay, and the Bulls will enjoy the ride while it lasts. Baz also received the news a week before that he will be playing in the Futures All-Star game on July 11th as well as representing Team USA in the Olympics hosted in Tokoyo. Expect this to be just the beginning of Baz receiving awards as his trophy case could get jam-packed in a hurry.