The Maryland Sports Blog

The Baltimore Orioles have called up Dylan Bundy to help pitch in Seattle.  The Orioles played 18 innings and wore out their bullpen yesterday/today.  Bundy was not supposed to be called up this year but this is an emergency situation.

Bundy was already on the 40-man roster so it was an easy move for the Orioles.  Hopefully Bundy is not rusty, he has not pitched in a while since the minor league seasons have been over.

Here is my article on Bundy from a few weeks ago.

Baltimore Orioles top prospect Dylan Bundy pitched for the Bowie Baysox last night, the Orioles AA affiliate. Bundy pitched well going 5 1/3rd innings giving up only two earned runs and earning the win.

Bundy was drafted last year by the Orioles and is only 19 years old in his first professional season. So far Bundy has pitched for three different teams in the Orioles organization.

Orioles DH Jim Thome went down to Bowie to scout Bundy. Thome is a class act and will do anything he is asked to do to help the team he is playing for. Thome going down to Bowie to scout Bundy points to one thing and that is the possibility that they young pitcher might be up in Baltimore this year.

The Orioles have already pulled the trigger on Machado and have seen surprisingly good results. The Orioles might opt for a six-man rotation in September when the roster is expanded to include Bundy. Bundy could also be used out of the bullpen similar to the way David Price was used when he was first called up by the Tampa Bay Rays. Price was called up when the Rays were in a playoff race and put in the bullpen before being put in the rotation the next year.

Everyone in the organization has said that Bundy being used this year depends on “where the team is at,” this year. My take on that is that if the Orioles are winning and Bundy continues to dominate in the minors the Orioles will call him up.

The Orioles are showing this year that they will do whatever it takes to end their losing record streak that they have had for over a decade. Bundy is clearly part of the Orioles future but he could be part of the Orioles present very soon.

While the Orioles sit back and enjoy the success they’ve had so far in 2012, the team is not without weaknesses.  The rotation has been decent this year, but plagued by inconsistency.  The bullpen is definitely the team’s strong suit, having shut the game down in the late innings.  What the Orioles REALLY need are two things; a number one starter and a power bat to stick in the middle of the lineup.  The way the team is currently constructed, that bat would be best suited for an outfield/DH spot.  There are definitely some bats on the market right now, and more that may join them as teams get a better glimpse of their postseason chances.  The pitching market is a bit more clearly defined as the trade deadline approaches on July 31st.

One team to watch in the coming weeks that may gut most of their core is the Chicago Cubs.  They are not going to sniff playoff contention this year, Theo Epstein’s first with the team.  I’ve heard varying thoughts about what players will be available from the team.  In my opinion, other than stud SS Starlin Castro, anyone on the Cubs can be on the move given the right package.  Chicago features not one but TWO starting pitchers that teams covet.  One of them has an excellent track record pitching in the AL East, Matt Garza.  Garza is only 28 years old, which means he could require a group of players with tons of upside.  The Cubs gave up a kings random for him when they acquired him from Tampa Bay.  While that package may not be matched, a comparable one will at least have to be discussed.  Ryan Dempster is the other pitcher that teams have interest in.  Dempster is a bit older at 35, and has some wear and tear on him.  With that all in mind, Dempster has been a consistent pitcher throughout his major league career, starting and in relief.  Any team that would make a play for Dempster or Garza may have to take on outfielder Alfonso Soriano, and some portion of the remainder of his infamous 8-year $136 million contract.  That could actually bode well if the Orioles acquired him since we have a desperate need for power.  Soriano could slide right in as a DH or situational corner outfielder until Nick Markakis gets back.

Other possible hitters that COULD be trade targets for the Orioles include: Carlos Lee of the Astros, Justin Morneau or Josh Willingham of the Twins, Carlos Quentin of the Padres, Jeff Francoeur of the Royals, Vernon Wells of the Angels, Justin Upton of the Diamondbacks, and Carlos Gonzalez of the Rockies.  As far as the free agency market is concerned, Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez, and Derrek Lee  are all out there.  Realistically, I could see an acquisition in the form of a salary dump or marginal player.  That leaves Lee, Quentin, Francoeur, and Wells.  The Orioles simply do not have the minor league talent, beyond untouchables Manny Machado and Dylan Bundy, to acquire star power.

On the pitching front, aside from Garza and Dempster, there are some other starters that could be available.  This group would include former Oriole Erik Bedard, Cole Hamels, Wandy Rodriguez, Zack Greinke, Shaun Marcum Rick Porcello, ex-Oriole Jeremy Guthrie, John Lannan, R.A. Dickey, Jason Vargas, Gavin Floyd, Kevin Correia, and A.J. Burnett.  My first inclination would be to dangle Mark Reynolds in any trade package, because teams always need home run power.  A club troubled offensively, like Pittsburgh, may be willing to trade from their wealth of pitching for a power threat like Reynolds.

With all those names, this year should prove to be another deadline full of rumors and hopefully some great trades going down.  It’s been forever since the Orioles have been looked at as buyers.  The landscape has changed  with the influx of the second wildcard in each league; more teams think they are on the cusp of a playoff push.  July 31st, is my absolute FAVORITE time of the year, aside from the baseball games themselves.  I’m one fan that hopes Dan Duquette and company in the Orioles front office make a big splash at the deadline.

Let’s here your opinions!  Who do YOU think the Orioles should try and acquire this year?  Is there a player I left off my lists?  I’d love to hear from all you fellow Birds fans!

Dylan Bundy has been turning heads in the minors. I found this video of him that I wanted to pass along. Enjoy

Without having one pitch thrown at the major league level, Orioles minor league pitcher Dylan Bundy is already making news.  MLB.com put out their list of the Top 10 right-handed pitching prospects, which has Bundy ranked at number five.

While Bundy was the first high school arm taken in the 2011 Draft, after three college pitchers, it would be a mistake to think that means he’ll take a long time to develop. Like Bauer, Bundy uses long-tossing to build arm strength, and it seems to work for him. He’s not that big, but he’s strong and athletic, utilizing a four-pitch mix extremely well. His fastball is plus and he maintains velocity with smooth mechanics. He has two breaking pitches — a curve and slider — both of which are outstanding, and he also throws a changeup. Occasionally, prep pitchers buzz through a system, and it wouldn’t surprise anyone if Bundy pitches at more than one level in 2012.

Although Bundy was just drafted last year, keep your eye out for him in 2013 or possibly even a September call-up in 2012.  Dylan’s brother, Robert, is also a pitcher in the Orioles organization.  There is a very good chance the fans will see the brothers team up one day in the Orioles rotation; hopefully for years and years to come!