# Mike Baumann

Michael Thomas Baumann (born September 10, 1995) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants, Los Angeles Angels, and Miami Marlins.
In 2024, Baumann made history by playing for five different franchises—the Orioles, Mariners, Giants, Angels, and Marlins. This tied the single-season record for most franchises played for, a feat previously achieved by Oliver Drake in 2018 and Bobo Leonard in 1924.

## Amateur career

Baumann attended Mahtomedi High School in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, and played for the school's baseball and American football teams. The Minnesota Twins selected him in the 34th round of the 2014 MLB draft. He did not sign, instead enrolling at Jacksonville University to play college baseball for the Jacksonville Dolphins. In 2016, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Yarmouth–Dennis Red Sox of the Cape Cod Baseball League.

## Professional career
### Baltimore Orioles

The Baltimore Orioles selected Baumann in the third round of the 2017 MLB draft. In 2018, Baumann began the season with the Delmarva Shorebirds of the Single-A South Atlantic League. He received a promotion in May to the Frederick Keys of the High-A Carolina League. He combined to go 7–6 with a 2.98 ERA and 142 strikeouts over 124 innings in 2019. On November 20, 2020, the Orioles added Baumann to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.
On September 7, 2021, Baumann made his major league debut with the Orioles against the Kansas City Royals at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. In his debut he pitched 3+2⁄3 innings and allowed two hits and one walk. Baumann struck out one batter and retired 11 of the 14 batters he faced. He also earned his first Major League win. In his rookie campaign, Baumann recorded a 9.90 ERA in four games.
Baumann pitched in 14 contests for Baltimore in 2022, registering a 4.72 ERA with 23 strikeouts across 34+1⁄3 innings of work. On March 16, 2023, it was announced that Baumann would shift to a short-relief role rather than being a starter. He made 60 appearances out of the bullpen for the Orioles, compiling a 10–1 record and 3.76 RRA with 61 strikeouts across 64+2⁄3 innings pitched.
In 2024, Baumann made 17 relief appearances for Baltimore, logging a 3.44 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 18+1⁄3 innings pitched. On May 18, 2024, Baumann was designated for assignment by the Orioles.

### Seattle Mariners

On May 22, 2024, Baumann and Michael Pérez were traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for Blake Hunt. In 18 appearances for Seattle, he logged a 5.51 ERA with 16 strikeouts across 16+1⁄3 innings pitched. Baumann was designated for assignment by the Mariners on July 19.

### San Francisco Giants

On, July 21, 2024, Baumann was claimed off waivers by the San Francisco Giants. He made one appearance for the Giants, allowing two runs and recording two outs in a blowout victory against the Colorado Rockies on July 26. The following day, Baumann was designated for assignment.

### Los Angeles Angels

On July 30, 2024, Baumann was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for cash considerations. In 10 games for the Angels, he worked to a 6.75 ERA with 7 strikeouts across 9+1⁄3 innings. Baumann was designated for assignment following the promotion of Ryan Zeferjahn on August 23.

### Miami Marlins

On August 25, 2024, Baumann was claimed off waivers by the Miami Marlins. He tied Oliver Drake and Bobo Leonard's record for appearing with five different teams in a single season. Baumann was responsible for giving up the historic 50th home run of the season to Shohei Ohtani as part of the first ever 50-50 season in the major league history. In 11 appearances for Miami, he struggled to a 6.59 ERA with 18 strikeouts across 13+2⁄3 innings pitched. Baumann was released by the Marlins organization on December 9, in order to pursue an opportunity in Japan.

### Tokyo Yakult Swallows

On December 9, 2024, Baumann signed with the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball.

## Personal life

His older brother, Nick, also played baseball and football at Mahtomedi and starred on the defensive line for the Concordia Cobbers.
Baumann married his fiancée, Nicole, in December 2023. The wedding took place in Florida, where he resides in the offseason.
Their first child, a son, was born in September 2024.