Orioles Promote Machado to the Big Leagues; Bundy to Double-A

(Mark Olson/MiLB.com)

By Jim Pratt | @BigLeaguesMthly

As the season inches towards the middle of August, the Baltimore Orioles find themselves in a three-way tie for the American League wild card lead and just 4.5 games behind the New York Yankees in the AL East.

Despite the countless number of promotions, demotions and DL-stints the Orioles have dealt with this season they are now in the precarious position of trying to remain in the playoff race by promoting their top position prospect to the big leagues, although he turned just 20 years-old last month.

Two years removed from being selected with third overall pick in the 2010 draft out of high school, Manny Machado will make his first major league start tonight at third base against the Kansas City Royals.

Machado has hit .266/.352/.438 with 11 homers and 59 RBI in 109 games for Double-A Bowie this season, mostly at shortstop. He seems to have figured something out at the plate over the last 10 games, hitting .444/.512/.889 with eight extra-base hits, including three home runs and seven RBI.

"The guy's got a lot of talent, and we feel like he can help," executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said.

"Manny should be a plus-defender, wherever we play him. He's a five-tool player, and he can help our team. I think he improves our team, and it's important here [for this club] to be strong." – MLB.com

There are concerns that the Orioles, who appear to be ahead of schedule in their contention for the playoffs, are risking Machado’s learning curve at the minor league level for the chance to win a spot in a one-game wild card scenario.

Even though scouts have graded Machado with plus evaluations for both his hit tool and power potential, expectations of how a 20 year-old kid will handle big league pitching must be kept in-check regardless of the results the remainder of the season.

In what has now been reduced to merely a side-note with the buzz surrounding Machado’s big league debut, Dylan Bundy continues his fast track ascension to a possible September call-up. Bundy is scheduled to make his Double-A pitching debut as part of a doubleheader on August 14th.

According to the Baltimore Sun, “Duquette confirmed the promotion and said Bundy won't be officially added to the roster until before that start.”

In 19 minor league starts, Bundy has thrown 84.1 innings with 103 strikeouts and just 19 walks. The Orioles plan to limit him to 120 innings this season.