Ben McD is one of the reasons I like the Bundy pick so much.

One of the reasons Ben didn't fulfill his great potential, so they say, is all the innings he threw, especially as a senior. Bundy comes to the majors without all that extra work load, his arm is fresh, relatively speaking, and all the pitches he would have made as a college player, he can now make as an Orioles' farm hand. And you know that the Orioles will make sure to protect that arm, whereas a college coach would likely abuse it.

Good pick, and while I don't beleive he'll get 30, I think if they offer him mid teens, he'll take it.

Even though I am against drafting high-school players, unless they're absolute phenoms, I loved the Bundy pick. He is just a freak of nature. They guy looks like he can play middle linebacker for the Ravens.

The problem I foresee is: If you pay him a lot of money, the temptation (as you pointed out Pete) is to bring him up as quickly as possible. That has got to be the case. If you think he is 4 years away from being a starter, then why are you paying him a ton of money, or why did you draft him so high?

That said, with the limited amount of film, I think this kid is going to be ready to pitch in 2 years. If he is not ready as a starter, I would bring him up in a reliever or heck, even closer role. Can you imagine him throwing 100mph? I cannot wait.

I have seen a lot of footage of Dylan Bundy. His delivery is far more compact than Strasburg, whom a number of scouts predicted would blow out his elbow. Bundy drives off the mound using his legs for achieving momentum, and his arm does not flail away from his body. His delivery is very reminicent of Nolan Ryan, as one scout pointed out. I think it was a great pick and the kid should move quickly through the system.

The Orioles will keep his innings pitched down for a few years, As the Nats attempted to do with strasburg. Most High School and College pitchers throw under 100 innings a season, most high Schoolers only 75 or so. strasburg had never pitched more than 99 innings in college and only pitched on friday nights. The Nats wanted to cap him at 125 last year but he never made it. I consult with the local high school coaches as I manage the local american Legion team to se how many innings a kid threw during the high school season. Combined, I cap the kids at 75 to 80 innings and they are shut down.

Pete, I have my theory on who may have taken down the entire Sun blog system, and I'll bet there are many on here who are thinking the same thing.

wow.... so much effort put in just to block wayne out

the oriole brass at work

I'm not going to pretend to know anything about Bundy, or to be able to predict how he'll do, since these things are so difficult to predict.

I will say that his asking price is comical. Strasburg, who was a surer thing coming out of college and was much more hyped, got half of what he's asking. And still look what happened (although he'll probably be fine next year). In any case, the slot figure should be around $3 million, I think, and I think the Orioles should go over that, maybe twice that, but they should be south of $10 million for sure. If the kid wants to play with his brother he needs to get serious and take a reasonable offer. $30 million is a frivolous proposal.

Bundy's brother said his delivery was 'smooth' this AM on the radio.

Strasburg was doomed from the start... way too much torque. Looks like a golfer or batter with a weird swing. Apparently he and Prior had the same problem, but Prior looked so much more fundamentally sound. His mechanical flaw must have been very subtle.

Gil -

It's interesting that you mention about your limiting kids at 75 to 80 innings in a season.

This is going back 15 years ago when I was in the 13-15 year old league. When I would pitch good, the coach would keep me out there, sometimes the entire 7 innings (it was 17 games in a season). In my last year, I started 10 of the 17 games, and I remember being out there mostly 5 innings a game, and pitching more than a few complete games. My final game was a complete game - 7 innings. I remember the next day my shoulder was hurting bad, which was the first time that had ever happened - it was to the point where I felt discomfort lifting my arms above my shoulders. My father said it was just "inflammation" and had me put ice on it.

After that game, whenever I pitched, I would always feel a discomfort to the point to where I didn't want to pitch again, ever. Even to this day, whenever I throw hard or alot- whether I'm playing catch or playing fetch with the dog - I still feel the same type of discomfort. I have to throw sidearm now if I know I'm going to do alot of throwing because it's more comfortable at the end of day. I know that isn't good, because changing your natural arm angle can cause more injury. My natural arm slot is mid-3/4.

Anyway, I just found your post interesting, and that back then I wish people were more interested in how to teach a young arm instead of winning. The only reason why I was any good at that age is because I could throw strikes. Most kids that age are still learning the basics, if being taught at all, much less throw strikes.

I also wonder what kind of damage I really did to my arm too.

Ok all you who still want to release Reynolds raise your hand....

Ok Whoever still wants to release Reynolds raise your hand.....
ok now go stand in the corner

Ok so we can not talk about Markakis slump for 24 hours

Love the Bundy signing. Can't wiat for Peg, Bud and Kelly to hit town. Looking forward to seeing Marcy and Steve (not Jefferson)) at the games... Oh.. it's not that Bundy....

Well a former wrestler big enough for the nickname "King Kong" can probably throw a great fastball...Oh... It's not that Bundy either...

Please don't tell me the Orioles signed a serial killer...

We havn't had a real cereal killer since Mickey Tettleton, aka the Fruit Loops Kid