1/21/12

Baseball: Dylan Bundy, Manny Banuelos, Orlando Cabrera, Roger Maris



Dylan Bundy, Orioles: 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. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120112&content_id=26330142&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_26330142

Manny Banuelos, Yankees: The stuff is definitely there for Banuelos to be successful at the Major League level. All he has to do is learn how to harness it more consistently. He has three pitches, a fastball, curve and changeup, that can be above-average or better. He's struck out 9.2 batters per nine innings throughout his Minor League career and his pure stuff has gotten better in recent years, so that should continue. His command is what's holding him back. He walked nearly five batters every nine innings in 2011 and often didn't command his fastball well within the strike zone. He's shown the ability to do it, and once he finds consistency, he could be ready to help out full-time. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120113&content_id=26339048&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb&tcid=tw_article_26339048

According to ESPN's Enrique Rojas, Orlando Cabrera has announced his retirement from baseball. O-Cabs struggled to find suitors on the open market this winter after batting just .238/.267/.307 in 477 plate appearances last season between the Indians and Giants. The 37-year-old native of Colombia was a .272/.317/.390 lifetime hitter in over 1,900 major league games. He slugged 123 career home runs and tallied 2,055 career hits. http://www.rotoworld.com/headlines/mlb/348085/baseball-headlines?r=1

He had a modest start to his career hitting nine  home runs in his rookie year with the Indians. Cleveland traded him in June 1958, to the Kansas City Athletics.  At the half-way point of the year, he had 14 long balls. It was not a very popular trade. He would go on to hit a total of 28 homers that season. After a 19 home run 1959 season, Kansas City shipped Maris off to the Yankees, where his power and legend really blossomed. As a precursor to the ’61 campaign, Maris drove 39 bombs in 1960. He then had the great year of 1961. The power seemingly came out of no where as he never had another season with even 40 jacks. He had plenty of home run potential the next three years, with home run totals of 33, 23 and 26. However, the numbers waned off from there. http://didthetribewinlastnight.com/2012/01/19/countdown-to-pitchers-and-catchers-32-roger-maris/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

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