Why no Hobgood in action?

[melankfo]

Orioles' number one draft pick Matthew Hobgood has been in Bluefield nearly two weeks without appearing in a game. It sounded like, from his own comments, he was anxious to get started. Any ideas on what's going on?

[Can_of_corn]

Don't expect to see him in any games until after he gets back from the ESPY's. I think they film around the 18th. Right now he is throwing bullpens and the like.

[Frobby]

May I politely suggest that you do a search on the word "Hobgood?" That will lead you to threads in the minor league forum (yes, Hobgood is in the minors, not the majors) that will answer this question.

[Stotle]

Conditioning now and will start after the ESPYs.

Here's my question, though. If a "quick sign" was considered to be a plus for selecting someone like Hobgood, doesn't it seem like BAL should have worked to get him going a little sooner? I don't really feel passionately about it -- just seems weird that even as a "quick sign" he's only going to log a little over a month worth of game time.

[Moose Milligan]

Conditioning now and will start after the ESPYs.

Here's my question, though. If a "quick sign" was considered to be a plus for selecting someone like Hobgood, doesn't it seem like BAL should have worked to get him going a little sooner? I don't really feel passionately about it -- just seems weird that even as a "quick sign" he's only going to log a little over a month worth of game time.

Maybe after the HS season thats all he needs? I don't think they'd want to throw him to the fire just yet, but at least get him some time this summer.

Any fall leagues he's elligible for?

[QBsILLEST1]

Conditioning now and will start after the ESPYs.

Here's my question, though. If a "quick sign" was considered to be a plus for selecting someone like Hobgood, doesn't it seem like BAL should have worked to get him going a little sooner? I don't really feel passionately about it -- just seems weird that even as a "quick sign" he's only going to log a little over a month worth of game time.

Exactly! I completely agree, I said somnething about this in a thread a few days ago. Whats the sense of signing him quickly if he isnt going to start right away....Regardless, atleast he will get some time in, enough time for the O's to make a decision on whether or not he is ready to move up to full season ball....

[Can_of_corn]

Conditioning now and will start after the ESPYs.

Here's my question, though. If a "quick sign" was considered to be a plus for selecting someone like Hobgood, doesn't it seem like BAL should have worked to get him going a little sooner? I don't really feel passionately about it -- just seems weird that even as a "quick sign" he's only going to log a little over a month worth of game time.

"Quick sign" is an euphemism for "will take slot money".

As conservative as the O's have been with prospects under AM did you really expect him to jump right in? They even shut Wieters down when he signed, as if DHing for a few games in Aberdeen would have hurt anything.

Shame Hobgood isn't advanced enough for the AFL and I highly doubt they would consider sending him to winter league to get any innings in.

[Arthur_Bryant]

Conditioning now and will start after the ESPYs.

Here's my question, though. If a "quick sign" was considered to be a plus for selecting someone like Hobgood, doesn't it seem like BAL should have worked to get him going a little sooner? I don't really feel passionately about it -- just seems weird that even as a "quick sign" he's only going to log a little over a month worth of game time.

There was a delay of 2-3 weeks on getting him in for the physical. I got the impression that it was a matter at his end. I think his HS season had ended by then.

[Stotle]

There was a delay of 2-3 weeks on getting him in for the physical. I got the impression that it was a matter at his end. I think his HS season had ended by then.

Just bad luck, then. It's a shame, as his bonus certainly doesn't indicate any hard negotiating. 3-4 extra starts would have been very nice -- particularly for an arm that is relatively refined but needs to get to work on the game-planning side and off-speed stuff.

[Stotle]

"Quick sign" is an euphemism for "will take slot money".

As conservative as the O's have been with prospects under AM did you really expect him to jump right in? They even shut Wieters down when he signed, as if DHing for a few games in Aberdeen would have hurt anything.

Shame Hobgood isn't advanced enough for the AFL and I highly doubt they would consider sending him to winter league to get any innings in.

Eh, plenty of players signed in the first week, including players in the top rounds. I think BAL might have expected things to move a little more quickly. I understand what you're saying, though.

[Stotle]

Maybe after the HS season thats all he needs? I don't think they'd want to throw him to the fire just yet, but at least get him some time this summer.

Any fall leagues he's elligible for?

I suppose they could send him to Florida. I don't remember the rules for Dominican League, but I think he'd be a little young. Honestly, I guess I'd rather see him go through fall instructionals and get started on working with the organization to set a conditioning plan and get him used to life as a pro athlete. Seems like he's got a great attitude and work ethic, so he could get a ton accomplished this off-season and really set himself up to progress next year.

[Can_of_corn]

I don't know about the new Florida League but the Instructional League would normally be the likely destination for someone like Hobgood. He's most definitely not going to any Latin Winter Leagues. I'd also bet the farm that he's not going to Hawaii or the AFL.

Pretty sure that last season was it for the Hawaii league, at least in the form that we are familar with. Hobgood is no where near advanced enough for the AFL.

[Stotle]

I don't know about the new Florida League but the Instructional League would normally be the likely destination for someone like Hobgood. He's most definitely not going to any Latin Winter Leagues. I'd also bet the farm that he's not going to Hawaii or the AFL.

Yeah, that's what I was saying. Instructionals. Also, there is no longer a Hawai'i Winter Baseball league.

[QBsILLEST1]

Yeah, that's what I was saying. Instructionals. Also, there is no longer a Hawai'i Winter Baseball league.

Instructionals might be best, they may put him on a conditioning program to get him into tip top shape, he already began his own program about a year ago from what I had heard to get into better shape and hopefully BAL will continue that and help him along the way. Him getting into better shape was probably the reason for him gaining that extra velocity in this season....

[olehippi]

The increasing impatience many seem to have with the development rate of our young players really bothers me. I want it done right, not fast. And if right fast happens and those in charge think someone is ready, fine, throw 'em into the fire.

But does anyone honestly think that the delay of a couple weeks, and the lack of 3-4 starts this year, is going to impede Hobgood's progress and affect his future ascent to the ML? Seriously?

We have no clue...at least I've seen nothing anywhere...about how many innings he threw in HS, so maybe the O's just wanted to give his arm a rest and then build it back slowly before throwing him into live action. Hell...maybe he just wanted to take a vacation!!

Also, for the first time in his life he will be playing against kids who are just as good, if not better, than he is. So maybe there is a little psychological tutoring going on, too.

Hobgood's time will come....be patient enough to wait for it.