Rondon to Akron bullpen?

[Damage]

Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Rondon To The Bullpen
Posted by Tony at 2:53 PM
The Indians have apparently taken RHP Hector Rondon out of the rotation and have moved him to the bullpen at Double-A Akron. I am not sure if this move is effective tonight since Rondon is scheduled to start tonight, but most likely it is in effect immediately. I am hearing that someone will likely get the spot start tonight and take his spot in the rotation, likely LHP Ryan Edell who seems likely to comes down from the Triple-A Columbus bullpen and end up back in the Akron rotation.

More on this as it develops, but this comes from an Indians official. If all goes well, he is expected to be in Cleveland soon. A very interesting decision given how just two weeks ago the Indians were pretty set on keeping Rondon in the rotation no matter what.

I think we all know where this is going and where he's headed. I'm excited to see him pitch but I'm 50/50 on putting him in the pen.

 

[chiefwahoo]

Might be a good way for him to get some big league experience this year, without overwhelming him. Thanks for the info.

 

[Damage]

Might be a good way for him to get some big league experience this year, without overwhelming him. Thanks for the info.

Question: Can you think of other top pitching prospects that have started off their MLB careers in the bullpen?

 

[chiefwahoo]

Question: Can you think of other top pitching prospects that have started off their MLB careers in the bullpen?

Fausto? I know he had some starts in '06 before being moved to the pen. But he was a disaster there and then moved back into the rotation in '07.

 

[Damage]

Ehh

Santana
Liriano
Joba
Papelbon (stuck as a closer though)
Fausto

Nice list.

 

[Chris]

Rondon to Cleveland?? Hmm...

 

[Amherstcavsfan]

Ehh

Santana
Liriano
Joba
Papelbon (stuck as a closer though)
Fausto

Nice list.

Don't forget Adam Wainwright

 

[CBBI]

This is a mistake in my opinion.

Why would you risk the long-term development of your best starting pitching prospect so he can come up and pitch for the worst team in the majors?

It would be one thing if this team was contending for the division and needed a late season boost to the bullpen to try and make a World Series run a la David Price last year with the Rays, but the Indians have the worst record in the American League and are already 6.5 games out. If it takes Rondon a couple of weeks worth of pen work to get acclimated to this new role, the Indians could be 8 or 9 games out by that point.

You're gonna bring the kid up to the majors to pitch for a last place team? Bringing up Rondon in a few weeks to pitch out of the bullpen is not going to mean the difference between last place and 1st place. Hell it probably won't mean the difference between last place and third.

The move just reeks of desperation to me. Problem is, its already too late.

 

[Damage]

This is a mistake in my opinion.

Why would you risk the long-term development of your best starting pitching prospect so he can come up and pitch for the worst team in the majors?

It would be one thing if this team was contending for the division and needed a late season boost to the bullpen to try and make a World Series run a la David Price last year with the Rays, but the Indians have the worst record in the American League and are already 6.5 games out. If it takes Rondon a couple of weeks worth of pen work to get acclimated to this new role, the Indians could be 8 or 9 games out by that point.

You're gonna bring the kid up to the majors to pitch for a last place team? Bringing up Rondon in a few weeks to pitch out of the bullpen is not going to mean the difference between last place and 1st place. Hell it probably won't mean the difference between last place and third.

The move just reeks of desperation to me. Problem is, its already too late.

Part of me agrees with you, part of me looks at the list of success of pitchers that have been handled in the same vein.

 

[The Oi]

Why is it so difficult for guys to remain successful long-term as relievers??? I mean, is it because some of these guys rely on junkball pitches or that they get too predictable.

It seems like such an easy job if you have 2-3 reliable pitches.

 

[Chris]

Why is it so difficult for guys to remain successful long-term as relievers??? I mean, is it because some of these guys rely on junkball pitches or that they get too predictable.

It seems like such an easy job if you have 2-3 reliable pitches.

No clue. Take Rafael Perez for instance. He has filthy stuff. His main problem appears to be command. When it comes to a guy like Jensen Lewis I think you have to admit he basically does throw shit at the wall and hopes it sticks.

 

[KB]

I just saw this article today and it looks like because they signed this Livingston guy that Rondon is going to moved up to AAA Columbus soon.

http://www.indiansprospectinsider.com/2009/07/indians-officially-sign-livingston.html

Saturday, July 4, 2009
Indians Officially Sign Livingston
Posted by Tony at 10:52 PM
As reported here on Thursday, the Indians have officially signed LHP Bobby Livingston (26) as a minor league free agent. He has spent the 2009 season between AA Bowie (6-2, 3.62ERA, 12GS, 69.2IP, 85H, 28ER) & AAA Norfolk (1-0, 1.80ERA, 3GS, 20.0IP, 21H, 4ER) in the Orioles organization. He began his pro career in 2001 in the Mariners organization (4th round pick) and appeared in 13 big league games with the M’s and Reds in 2006-07 (61.1IP, 86H, 43ER, 3-3, 6.31). He will start for Akron on Sunday at Harrisburg.

With his signing, insertion into the rotation, and at Double-A of all places, it really looks like RHP Hector Rondon will be promoted to Triple-A Columbus for his next start.

 

[macbdog]

@ jigoOi:

They are relievers for a reason. Usually, they have only one-two quality pitches; sometimes only one and another passable pitch. It would be easy if a guy had 3 quality pitches- but those guys usually stick as starters. Sometimes size plays into the equation- guys 6 feet and under normally put more stress on their arm to throw hard and end up in the pen as a result. You are talking about guys who have question marks, that is why they end up in the pen in the first place. This obviously doesn't answer every situation but you do have to take it into account when talking about 'reliever prospects'.

Regarding Hector Rondon:

Yep, he got the official bump-up. Who knows, if he acclimates quickly to AAA he could be a guy who gets the call if/when Pavano gets dealt.

 

[DougHeil]

Just another example of how badly the Indians organization handles young players. Fausto is now screwed up. Many kids are digressing in some form because the Indians just don't get it. Shoppach? Sizemore? Crowe? .... LaPorta has been handled badly. Bringing up this young pitcher to sit in our bullpen along with many losers is not the answer. Heck; why not bring him up to START? Why is it that other teams have no problems with starting 20 and 21 year pitchers but the Indians do have a prob with it?