Colorado Rockies Pitcher Andrew Baker Refines Gyro Slider Amid Altitude Adjustment
Andrew Baker, a right-hander for the Rockies, has turned a gyro-slider into his primary weapon while adapting to high-altitude play in Albuquerque.
Colorado’s right-hander Andrew Baker describes his most effective pitch as a “gyro slider,” a two-part offering that registers between the mid-80s and low-90s and accounts for nearly half of his throws in Triple-A Albuquerque. Since adopting the pitch under the guidance of former Phillies pitcher-turned-coach Ryan Buchter last year, Baker’s swing-and-miss and strikeout percentages have risen to elite levels, with a 29.7% strikeout rate in Triple-A. The move to the high-altitude environment required him to modify recovery routines, a habit he attributes to advice from veteran Craig Kimbrel.
A four-month winter league experience with Puerto Rico’s Cangrejeros de Santurce, which culminated in a championship, also contributed to his development. After six seasons in the Phillies organization, he was traded to the Rockies for international bonus money in May. Originally a lifelong catcher, Baker switched to pitching after being selected out of Chipola College in the 2021 draft and has since embraced the new role despite losing hearing in his right ear as a child.
Why it matters
Baker’s new pitch and recent improvements could speed his promotion to the major leagues for Colorado.
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