Duquette: Bundy will get at least 5 more starts at Delmarva

[Mashed Potatoes]

So what do you guys think, does Bundy allow a run before moving up to Frederick or does he keep a clean sheet?

[TiredofLosing20]

I am certain of this: Dan Duquette is more qualified to plan Bundy's trajectory than I am.

This, and I am under the impression that DD is not going to rush anyone to the majors.

[Florida_Osfan]

This is a fine argument. But it's patently false for Baltimore to act like Bundy needs to be in Delmarva to work on a change-up. Lincecum essentially added one between AAA and the end of his first season in the Majors.

Quite true. Point to you on that one, sir. I was simply trying to add perspective to the argument that holding back Bundy to work on a pitch wouldn't be a bad thing - that it was more important than simply accumulating statistics at Bowie.

On a side note, I can't help but feel this is a glowing recommendation from you about Bundy's ability to succeed in the ML. Just out of curiousity, what would you have him do? Would you rather he continue upward through the system faster than DD's plan?

[Can_of_corn]

So what do you guys think, does Bundy allow a run before moving up to Frederick or does he keep a clean sheet?

23 innings to go, I think someone gets lucky and runs into one.

[Mizerooskie]

Ah, the predictable hand-wringing about taking it slow with our prized prospect.

I guarantee that the same people that are freaking out about this would be first in line to criticize if Bundy was promoted too aggressively and fell on his face.

[rmt64]

Bundy is a rare breed for sure. I just hope we don't end up with Adam Loewen 2.0

*shudder*

[Stotle]

Quite true. Point to you on that one, sir. I was simply trying to add perspective to the argument that holding back Bundy to work on a pitch wouldn't be a bad thing - that it was more important than simply accumulating statistics at Bowie.

On a side note, I can't help but feel this is a glowing recommendation from you about Bundy's ability to succeed in the ML. Just out of curiousity, what would you have him do? Would you rather he continue upward through the system faster than DD's plan?

I'm not a developmental guy -- so I'm not up on the most recent industry studies on approach to player development. Generally, I have no issue with the approach Baltimore is taking. I think the kids gloves should come off next year, and he should be permitted to progress as quickly as he can, provided he is showing an ability to do the things he'll need to do in order to get out MLB hitters. Nothing wrong with essentially saying, "We aren't going to push a young arm one year removed from HS, so he's going to be eased in at Delmarva and ramped-up as we move into June."

[badcobully]

It is so easy to sit back and criticize every decision that someone else has to make. We all have our own ideas of how we would like to see things play out, but in the end we don't work with this kid every day. We don't know how he's going to adjust to life as a professional ball player. Is it really a bad thing for him to get a good taste of life in the trenches? I agree he is clearly over-matching his opponents now and do think he should be bumped up sooner than the plan, but I am also glad we are erring on the side of caution. His time will come and if he is the dominant force we hope he is another month in Delmarva will not cripple his growth a bit.

Let's relax and let them do their job. You have to admit, to this point of the season this collection of front office staff have not giving us any reason to doubt their moves at any level.

[Hallas]

How possible is it that he does these 5 additional bullpen sessions against "live" opponents ("live" is a bit generous, since he might as well be throwing to statues it seems), then he jumps straight to Bowie?

[jamalshw]

Ah, the predictable hand-wringing about taking it slow with our prized prospect.

I guarantee that the same people that are freaking out about this would be first in line to criticize if Bundy was promoted too aggressively and fell on his face.

Of course this is true. They should promote him to the level where he's on a close to even playing field with his competition (not way over it). I will criticize for promoting too slowly and to quickly!

I am very much against this process with Bundy. I think it's unnecessarily slowing his development. It's good he's working on a pitch and good he's getting accustomed to the professional life, but couldn't he do that in Bowie where his brother can help introduce him to the pros and he might be able to face hitters with men on and work out of both the wind-up and the stretch? He could also work on holding runners.

[xian4]

only four more starts after tonight, and it's more than likely someone will walk into one in the next 23 innings

[Fan4Life]

Didn't management want Bundy to work on some offspeed stuff? Funny how we don't hear any reports on how that is progressing.

[Can_of_corn]

Didn't management want Bundy to work on some offspeed stuff? Funny how we don't hear any reports on how that is progressing.

You must not have read the writeups in Fangraphs and Baseball Prospectus.

From BP:

“He's 93-98 mph with the fastball, and he broke out a few curveballs that were very good and a few changeups that were very good,”

Fangraphs: (4/10)

At 83-86 MPH, Bundy’s changeup also improved throughout the outing. He left the pitch up in the zone early and was staying a touch tall on his follow through. Additionally, adrenaline can often lead to a pitcher overthrowing the changeup early. By the third inning, Bundy had ironed out his command of the pitch and even doubled up on it to Rosell Herrera. Herrera did have the hardest hit ball of the day off of a change, but it was laced foul towards the bullpen mounds. At its best, the pitch features heavy drop, nearly identical arm action to his fastball and creates a distinct third velocity for Bundy to pitch from. At present, it appears to be his third best offering, but that’s certainly not a knock considering the strength of the rest of his arsenal.

Fangraphs (4/11):

More mid-90s fastballs generated a weak ground ball to first, and then he mixed in an 87 MPH change-up that was the best change I’ve seen in a minor league game since I saw Cole Hamels in the South Atlantic League in 2003. Both in terms of movement and location, it was a Major League change-up, and the non-Major League hitter waved embarrassingly at it. He then finished him off with another high fastball.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...-report-video/

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index...od-for-a-ball/

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/ar...rticleid=16522

[tilgaham]

This is a good decision. I'd like him to come to the majors with as little to work on as possible. Also, he pitched a ton of innings in high school, and is only 19 years old. I like the approach here.

[Can_of_corn]

This is a good decision. I'd like him to come to the majors with as little to work on as possible. Also, he pitched a ton of innings in high school, and is only 19 years old. I like the approach here.

I figure Low A, High A and AA this year to get used to pitching, work on his change ect ect.

2013-2014 in Norfolk to work on his TTTP.

2015 he should be ready to go.