Looks like an O’s minor leaguer has been suspended for drug use…
From the Orioles: The Office of the Commissioner of Baseball announced today that Baltimore Orioles Minor League catcher Michael Ohlman has received a 50-game suspension after a second violation of the Minor League Drug Prevention and Treatment Program for a drug of abuse.
The suspension of Ohlman, who is currently on the roster of the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds, will be effective immediately.
The Baltimore Sun and Roch’s blog has more on the news. Ohlman was not suspended for steroids.
Not sure why any player would want to risk their career or development to use drugs; however, temptation is a hard thing to beat. I’m sure Ohlman is sorry for everything, and he’ll learn a lesson in a hard way from this.
Finally, Dylan Bundy has dominated in yet another minor league start — this time at home for Delmarva.
From MASN Sports, Steve Melewski’s blog: Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy just completed his third outing as a pro and he has now pitched the equivalent of a nine-inning no-hitter over his three games for the Single-A Delmarva Shorebirds.
In the first inning tonight versus Hagerstown, the 19-year-old right-hander got a strikeout, followed by a pair of ground outs. In the second inning he got a fly out and then a pair of strikeouts. In the third he retired the first two hitters on ground outs before allowing a two-out walk before getting an inning-ending ground out.
Bundy retired the first 26 batters he faced as a pro before allowing a two-out walk in the third inning tonight.
Well, I don’t think Bundy will be with Delmarva for too long. As it is, it may look like Bundy too good for the level of ball that he is in.
The temptation to bring him to the majors for a call-up in September may be irresistible, but he should not be rushed to any subsequent level at all. Let dominate at each stage and bring him up — slowly.
He’s only out of his teenage years, and has only pitched three professional regular season games. Let him dominate at the lower levels, learn the nuances of pitching, have him go through struggles and get used to the travel of the professional leagues before even giving him a promotion to Baltimore. Fans want it, but no way…
To have him come up to the majors in single season is preposterous. No matter how good he is. I don’t think the organization would rush Bundy up anyway.
