Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Trevor Bauer

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 2, 2026

Discover the career path of Trevor Bauer, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Trevor Bauer is a professional baseball pitcher, currently a free agent, who has played in both Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, Cincinnati Reds, and Los Angeles Dodgers in the MLB, and the Yokohama DeNA BayStars in the NPB.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Challenges & Struggles

2008: Junior Year Success at Hart High School

As a junior in 2008, Trevor Bauer had a successful season at William S. Hart High School, posting a 12–0 win-loss record with a 0.79 ERA, and his fastball reached speeds of up to 92 mph.

2009: Pac-10 Conference Baseball Newcomer of the Year

In 2009, after his freshman season, Trevor Bauer was named the Pac-10 Conference Baseball Newcomer of the Year and led the team with nine wins, a 2.99 ERA, and 105+1⁄3 innings pitched.

2010: Bruins reached College World Series Championship Series

In 2010, Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole helped the Bruins to a 10–0 start and eventually to the College World Series Championship Series, which South Carolina swept.

2010: College World Series Appearance

In 2010, as sophomores at UCLA, Trevor Bauer and Gerrit Cole led the UCLA Bruins to a 22-game win streak and an appearance in the College World Series.

2011: Set UCLA Records and Won Awards

In 2011, Trevor Bauer set several UCLA records, including strikeouts and career wins, and won the National Pitcher of the Year Award and the Golden Spikes Award.

2011: Drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks

In 2011, Trevor Bauer was drafted third overall by the Arizona Diamondbacks and signed with them on July 25 before being assigned to the Class A-Advanced Visalia Rawhide.

2011: Golden Spikes Award and National Pitcher of the Year Award

In 2011, Trevor Bauer won both the Golden Spikes Award and the National Pitcher of the Year Award. He was later selected third overall by the Diamondbacks at the 2011 MLB draft.

2011: Member of 2011 draft class

Trevor Bauer, drafted in 2011, became the first member of his draft class to make his MLB debut.

June 27, 2012: MLB Debut

On June 27, 2012, Trevor Bauer was called up by the Diamondbacks and made his MLB debut the next day, becoming the first member of the 2011 draft class to do so.

December 11, 2012: Traded to Cleveland Indians

On December 11, 2012, Trevor Bauer was traded to the Cleveland Indians as part of a three-team trade. It was revealed that Bauer was unpopular with some Diamondbacks teammates.

December 2012: Traded to Cleveland Indians

In December 2012, Trevor Bauer was traded from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Cleveland Indians.

2012: Retooling Pitching Delivery

After the 2012 season, Trevor Bauer began retooling his pitching delivery with the Cleveland Indians to improve his mechanics.

2012: Diamondbacks Top Prospect

Trevor Bauer entered the 2012 season as the Diamondbacks' top-rated prospect and was invited to spring training. He was later promoted to Triple-A Reno Aces and selected for the All-Star Futures Game.

2014: Improved Performance and Start Limitation

In 2014, Trevor Bauer started 26 major league games with the Cleveland Indians, improving his rate of bases on balls and posting a 5-8 record with a 4.18 ERA.

2016: Regular Force in Indians' Starting Rotation

By 2016, Trevor Bauer had become a regular force in the Cleveland Indians' starting rotation, solidifying his role as a key player.

January 12, 2017: Bauer agrees to a one-year, $3.55 million contract with the Indians

On January 12, 2017, Bauer agreed to a one-year, $3.55 million contract with the Indians, doubling his previous season's earnings.

2017: Bauer Pitches with UCLA alumni in the offseason

During the 2017-18 offseason, Bauer pitched a total of 40 practice innings with UCLA alumni to create a new slider for the upcoming season.

2018: First MLB All-Star Game Appearance Interrupted by Injury

Shortly after his first MLB All-Star Game appearance in 2018, Trevor Bauer's career was interrupted by a stress fracture, sidelining him until the end of the season.

July 31, 2019: Bauer acquired by Cincinnati Reds in three-team trade

On July 31, 2019, Bauer was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in a three-team deal involving the Indians and the San Diego Padres. His debut was challenging, as he allowed three runs in 4+2⁄3 innings.

January 10, 2020: Bauer Agrees to $17.5 Million Contract with Reds

On January 10, 2020, Trevor Bauer agreed to a one-year, $17.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds, avoiding arbitration.

November 4, 2020: Bauer rejects qualifying offer from the Reds, becomes a free agent

On November 4, 2020, Trevor Bauer rejected the Cincinnati Reds' $18.9 million qualifying offer, making him a free agent while expressing openness to rejoining the team.

2020: Cy Young Award Winner

During the 60-game 2020 MLB season, Trevor Bauer won the Cy Young Award, becoming the first Cincinnati Reds player to receive the honor.

February 5, 2021: Bauer signs with the Los Angeles Dodgers

On February 5, 2021, Trevor Bauer signed a three-year, $102 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, turning down an offer from the New York Mets. The contract included opt-out options after the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

February 2021: Signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers

In February 2021, Trevor Bauer, as a free agent after the 2020 season, signed a three-year contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

January 6, 2023: Dodgers designate Bauer for assignment

On January 6, 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers designated Trevor Bauer for assignment, leading to his release later that month.

January 12, 2023: Dodgers Release Bauer

On January 12, 2023, the Los Angeles Dodgers released Trevor Bauer following his suspension and controversy.

March 13, 2023: Bauer signs with Yokohama DeNA BayStars

On March 13, 2023, Trevor Bauer signed a one-year, $4 million contract with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of Nippon Professional Baseball, with the Dodgers covering the rest of his $22.5 million salary for 2023.

March 18, 2024: Bauer to pitch for Diablos Rojos del México

On March 18, 2024, Trevor Bauer announced he would begin the season pitching in six games for the Diablos Rojos del México of the Mexican League (LMB).