Top Talent?

Steve Melewski wrote an interesting blog this past Saturday (January 14) proclaiming that “Dylan Bundy is likely to begin next season (2012) pitching for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds.”

Steve has a really good pulse on the minor leagues so I hold his words to a high standard.  What a treat that would be for everyone on the Eastern Shore.  It would be the third year in a row in which the Shorebirds opened the year with the Orioles top round pick from the prior season (Hobgood, Machado).

The most interesting thing about Dylan to me is that he is on the Orioles 40-Man roster.  Have the Shorebirds ever had a player on the 40-Man? Obviously excluding rehab assignment players.  He signed a big-league deal when he was drafted.

The other unique aspect of Dylan is his brother, Bobby, who pitched very well on Delmarva back in 2010.  Bobby had a bulldog mentality on the hill and was a good character guy off the field.  Based on everything you read, the brothers have a great relationship so I’d expect Dylan to be very similar to Bobby in many aspects. 

Melewski’s blog also talks about the potential for some serious depth at third base (Jason Esposito, Nicky Delmonico, Connor Narron).  Three big names that could play the hot corner at Perdue Stadium. 

The Shorebirds have had a pretty good tradition at third base over the years…

Jonathan Schoop (2011) – .316, 8 HR, 34 RBIs

Tyler Henson (2008) – .265, 11 HR, 62 RBIs

Billy Rowell (2007) – .273, 9 HR, 57 RBIs

Ryan Finan (2006) – .262, 17 HR, 78 RBIs

Tripper Johnson (2002) – .260, 11 HR, 71 RBIs

Napoleon Calzado (2000) – .278, 7HR, 83 RBI

Rich Paz (1998) – .320, 5 HR, 56 RBIs

Ryan Minor (1997) – .307, 24 HR, 97 RBIs

Jose Fernandez (1996) – .273, 12 HR, 70 RBIs

Thanks for checking in!