Two Major One Minor 062511

Three starting pitchers are being examined today. They are Danny Duffy, Madison Bumgarner and Jenrry Mejia. All three share the fortune to have played in the 2009 Futures Game with Duffy and Bumgarner on the U.S. team and Mejia on the World team,


Danny Duffy is a starting LHP and was the first of the highly touted Royals pitching prospects to reach the majors this season. He heads into his start tonight having gained 34 innings of experience as his season sits at a crossroads. Two inferior pitchers Bruce Chen and Kyle Davies are returning from the DL and the organization has to choose whether Duffy remains in the starting rotation, goes to the bullpen or heads back to the minors. Although heading to the bullpen will keep him in the majors the other two options will help with his development more. His previous start was shortened to  3.1 innings due to a calf cramp but glimpses of his brilliance shone through with his nine strikeouts. That high strikeout ability was showcased in his rise through the minors along with good control which led to low walk rates and ERA. The future is bright for this one.


Madison Bumgarner is in his second season with the Giants and is experiencing the sophomore slump. So far this season the lefty is 3-9 with a 4.06 ERA and is coming off one of the worst all time performances in major league history. Against the Minnesota Twins he managed one strikeout for his only out as he was knocked out  in the first inning after giving up eight runs on nine hits with five being for extra bases. Bumgarner has the talent to bounce back strong and his youth may help in putting aside short term memories. He does have a good rookie season with post season experience plus a meteoric rise though the minors to build on. In 2008 he blew the doors off in his first season in the minors by dominating A ball with a 15-3 record with and 1.46 ERA and 164 strikeouts against only 21 walks and 111 hits allowed over 141.2 innings. This season he is dealing with some growing pains that will make him a better pitcher in future seasons.


Mejia cut his teeth as a 17 year old young pup on the Mets rookie team going 2-3 with a 2.47 ERA with 47 strikeouts over 43.2 innings as he started half the 14 games he appeared in. His right armed cannon helped him quickly advance through the minors and he even spent some time in the majors in 2010 getting some experience in the bullpen. He was back in Triple A this season honing his skills as a starter and working on his control when he was felled with an elbow injury after five starts and had Tommy John surgery May 17th. A number of pitchers have successfully bounced back from this surgery and being so young this should only be a minor detour to his career.