Trevor Bauer struck out eight batters and walked just one in 5.0 innings giving up no runs and five hits in his “AA” debut Tuesday with the Mobile Bay Bears. Bauer, 20, a 2009 graduate of Hart High School, has only allowed three runs in 14.0 innings pitched professionally.

The third overall pick of the Arizona Diamondbacks in June’s major League Baseball Amateur Draft, Bauer had just three appearances for the High “A” Visalia Rawhide in the California League before getting the promotion to Mobile. Bauer is just the second draft pick from this year’s class to reach “AA” ball this summer.

“He can throw any pitch anytime in any count,” said Jim Wagner, Bauer’s pitching coach for 10 years at Jim Wagner’s Throw Zone Academy. “And whether it’s with him or any pitcher, that’s what makes a pitcher successful. Plus, he’s always trying to setup a hitter with his pitches. He’s always thinking two or three pitches ahead in a count.”

Bauer was named the 2011 Golden Spikes Award winner, presented annually to the top amateur baseball player in the country by USA Baseball. As a member of the Team USA’s Collegiate National team, Bauer was 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA in five games (three starts), 24 strikeouts, and seven walks in 17.1 innings.

Bauer graduated early from Hart in order to enroll for the 2009 Spring semester at UCLA. He was a three-time All-American for the Bruins where he set the career and season strikeout records.