Trevor Bauer didn’t take much time off after the World Series. He had work to do. And, over the course of his first two starts this spring, the pitcher has tipped his hand as to what he worked on over the offseason.

Bauer is now throwing a split-finger fastball.

“I think it’s the ninth pitch I’ve seen from him,” Indians pitching coach Mickey Callaway quipped.

A few years ago, Bauer did indeed feature an arsenal that was seven or arguably eight pitches deep at times. By last season, though, the righty had narrowed his repertoire to a more standard four-pitch mix. Bauer’s main fastball was his two-seamer (28.3%), while also throwing four-seamers (23.6%), curveballs (19.9%) and cutters (16.1%).

The two-seamer’s aim was to create lateral movement and the pitch registered at 93.9 mph on average last year. The cutter ran to the other side of the plate, coming in at 89.9 mph on average. That velo was a step up from 2015, explaining why his “slider” now registered as a “cutter” in PITCHf/x. Bauer liked to elevate his four-seamer (94.6 mph) by design, and his curveball (77.9 mph) was thrown for a strike more than in the past, but still found the dirt often.

“I split the plate pretty well going left and right, with the cutter and two-seam,” Bauer explained. “And I’ve always been able to work in the top of the zone with the four-seam and down in the dirt with the curve. But, I haven’t really had anything that starts in the zone and goes down, but doesn’t bounce. So, I’ve tried to work on that. Hopefully, it leads to more ground balls.”

Here is a look at what Bauer is referencing…

Bauer’s cutter usage in 2016:

Bauer’s two-seam usage in 2016:

Bauer’s four-seam usage in 2016:

Bauer’s curve usage in 2016:

None of those pitches target the lower third of the strike zone with regularity. That is where the splitter could come in.

Bauer said his new pitch should come in around 9 mph less than his fastball, meaning he’ll have another tier of velocity to keep hitters guessing, too. His fastballs come in around 94–95 mph, the cutter lands around 90 mph, the splitter would be around 85–86 mph and then the curve should register around 72–74 mph. That’s a lot of movement and speed for the hitter to have in his mind.

Think of it as a changeup-type pitch for Bauer, because that’s part of what he studied in finding a comfort level with it this past winter.

“I just looked at what makes the best changeups good,” Bauer explained. “And then I took some of the ideas that I’ve had for a while and modeled it, tried to kill as much spin rate and get a vertical spin axis, and find a grip that I can rely on to do that, and feel like I can throw it hard enough. Stuff like that.”

Or, as Callaway summed up the pitch…

“It’s kind of a hybrid between Danny and Carrasco’s offspeed pitches,” said the pitching coach.

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More from Sunday…

Miller made his last Cactus League appearance on Sunday prior to leaving for the World Baseball Classic. Said Francona: “There was a little more intent, which is probably the way it should be. You try to get your feet under you, and your legs, and your delivery, and use your fastball. And then today, he was getting after it a little bit more.”

Allen and Shaw debuted for the Indians and combined for four strikeouts in two shutout innings. Francona raved about the late-inning duo: “We trust them. We talk all the time about how much we trust them. They hadn’t pitched in a game yet, and you could tell by the way they threw the ball that both of them have been working their [butt] off. Cody came in and looked [great]. That doesn’t just happen. They’ve been doing their stuff and B’s arm was live. He had life on the ball. That’s why we trust them. We’re trying to do what’s right for them for the year, but they’re not over there just [messing] around.”

Brantley progressing, Jackson nearing debut

Naquin exits with foot injury

And, as always…

There is plenty more on Indians.com. Also, be sure you’re following me on Twitter (@MLBastian), Instagram (bastianmlb) and Facebook (JordanBastianMLB). You’ll find videos and photos on those platforms, and I’ll be doing some Facebook Live look-ins throughout the spring.

— JB