Keith Law: "O's Mishandling Bundy"

[Satyr3206]

It's probably easier to have the 6 man rotation at Delmarva rather than Frederick.

[Lucky Jim]

Well he'll be pitching those innings and going deeper into games against much better competition. Thus, the adjustments he needs to make will be more severe, the learning curve will be steeper, and hopefully his development will be more efficient. He's not going to learn much by blowing through a low-A line-up a second time now.

At least, that's what I'd assume the O's would answer.

I have no problem with how they're handling Bundy. Probably not what I would do, but I don't think they're mishandling him at all. Law is just looking for hits.

He'll be doing both in August. He's not going to pitch three innings all year.

The point is to get him accustomed to a full season of baseball and provide him the opportunity to go deeper into games against better competition later in the year when it will actually matter.

[glenn__davis]

He'll be doing both in August. He's not going to pitch three innings all year.

The point is to get him accustomed to a full season of baseball and provide him the opportunity to go deeper into games against better competition later in the year when it will actually matter.

Isn't that what I said?

If it's not, it's what I meant to say.

[TiredofLosing20]

I object to the word "mishandling".

[Gurgi]

All this crap is being generated by how GOOD Bundy is throwing. If he had gone to Delmarva and had a little trouble no one would suggest we are mismanaging his arm.

The guy will be here soon enough. We wanted to see how his gaudy numbers would fair against better competition and now we know. We really have zero reason to rush the kid. Once he gets to the bigs his clock is ticking and his peak years will be playing for some other team. Let him progress a little slower and gain another of his better seasons.

This season Delmarva and Frederick.

Next season Bowie

Third season Norfolk and Baltimore

[Can_of_corn]

All this crap is being generated by how GOOD Bundy is throwing. If he had gone to Delmarva and had a little trouble no one would suggest we are mismanaging his arm.

The guy will be here soon enough. We wanted to see how his gaudy numbers would fair against better competition and now we know. We really have zero reason to rush the kid. Once he gets to the bigs his clock is ticking and his peak years will be playing for some other team. Let him progress a little slower and gain another of his better seasons.

This season Delmarva and Frederick.

Next season Bowie

Third season Norfolk and Baltimore

Not true, the O's have a number of valid reasons to aggressively promote the kid. I strongly disagree with your proposed timeline.

[Tony-OH]

He'll be doing both in August. He's not going to pitch three innings all year.

The point is to get him accustomed to a full season of baseball and provide him the opportunity to go deeper into games against better competition later in the year when it will actually matter.

I can't figure out why this is so difficult to understand. He'll get that opportunity later in the year so what's the problem of allowing him a few starts in Delmarva to get his feet wet, allowing one of their long time affiliates to have a nice premium prospects for a month or so, then move him along?

[Tony-OH]

All this crap is being generated by how GOOD Bundy is throwing. If he had gone to Delmarva and had a little trouble no one would suggest we are mismanaging his arm.

The guy will be here soon enough. We wanted to see how his gaudy numbers would fair against better competition and now we know. We really have zero reason to rush the kid. Once he gets to the bigs his clock is ticking and his peak years will be playing for some other team. Let him progress a little slower and gain another of his better seasons.

This season Delmarva and Frederick.

Next season Bowie

Third season Norfolk and Baltimore

I don't think it will take him that long really. He's probably in Bowie by the second half of this year. He probably gets a month in Delmarva, two months in Frederick, then finishes the year in Bowie. Next year he starts off in Norfolk and if he's pitching well and the Orioles have a need, he's in Baltimore by the June time period.

[weams]

I don't think it will take him that long really. He's probably in Bowie by the second half of this year. He probably gets a month in Delmarva, two months in Frederick, then finishes the year in Bowie. Next year he starts off in Norfolk and if he's pitching well and the Orioles have a need, he's in Baltimore by the June time period.

I love this time table.

[Flosman]

Law is being dumb in this case. I don't really think there is much that the O's could do at this point that will have a big impact long term. What we are seeing is a guy being treated like he is in extended ST except he is getting to face a little better hitters. I think by the end of June we will see a kid dominating AA hitters going 90 to 100 pitches per start and then the opportunity for mishandling him will really be an issue. I am serious when I say this, IMO the O's will have to determine if he is really that rare kid that is Gooden like and can pitch in the Majors at a very young age and not have his arm fall off. I really don't see any level of the minors that would cause him much problem has far has the hitters being able to do much against him. Just list the guys that have upper 90's live fastballs that they can command with multiple above average secondaries that don't mow down minor leaguers at any level. Baring injury I don't see anyway he is not the number one starter in Baltimore by June 30th of next season.

[allstar1579]

I usually agree in some part with Law or at least see where he's coming from, but shorter stints spread out now is better than having to shut him down completely in early August, so I don't really see what he's talking about on this one.

[flashjordnk]

I don't think it will take him that long really. He's probably in Bowie by the second half of this year. He probably gets a month in Delmarva, two months in Frederick, then finishes the year in Bowie. Next year he starts off in Norfolk and if he's pitching well and the Orioles have a need, he's in Baltimore by the June time period.

The thought of the bolded just made me make a mess in pants. Sheesh, that would be a wonderful thing to see.

[Can_of_corn]

What are the number of reasons to promote him aggressively? I can think of one. As far as his timeline, it could be as early as May/June of 2013. What is your timeline?

May/June of 2013 is fine, it ensures a 7th year of team control.

Two main reasons to promote him faster then Gurgi is projecting.

1- The other players. By 2014 Nick and JJ will be in the final year of their deals, Wieters will only have one full year left under team control and Jones will probably be gone. I also want to give Bundy as much time in the majors with Machado as possible. The O's need to concentrate what talent they have.

2- The money. Bundy signed a five year deal with a fixed salary running from 2012-2016 that means he will not be arbitration eligible until the deal expires.

[LookinUp]

I think he'll be pitching in Baltimore next year, probably by June.

I also think mishandled is a terrible choice of words. Mishandling someone would imply that we could actually hurt his future. Like, say, starting him against AA hitters and going 7 innings and wrap the season up by August. If there's a way to hurt someone's confidence and/or make him throw too many pitches too early and/or give him an unnaturally long layoff between seasons, it's starting him in Bowie under those conditions.

I don't think the O's knew for a fact that Delmarva would be an absolute joke compared to Bundy. Now that it is, I could see the O's promoting him 1-2 starts earlier than their original plan. That, to me, would be the right compromise. Make Bundy force the issue. When he does, adjust accordingly.

[glenn__davis]

1- The other players. By 2014 Nick and JJ will be in the final year of their deals, Wieters will only have one full year left under team control and Jones will probably be gone. I also want to give Bundy as much time in the majors with Machado as possible. The O's need to concentrate what talent they have.

2- The money. Bundy signed a five year deal with a fixed salary running from 2012-2016 that means he will not be arbitration eligible until the deal expires.

3. Improve the big league ballclub