Bondo Update
By Blake VandeBunte • May 22nd, 2009 • Category: 2009 Season, Jeremy BondermanSorry for the lack of posts today. My mom was out to visit for the afternoon and I was in Detroit tonight, reliving my high school days by seeing the Toadies live in concert. Good times. Back to baseball.
Just in case you aren’t checking the comments on all of the posts here, check out this comment from loyal reader, Lance. He was able to see Jeremy Bonderman pitch in his lastest rehab start.
Well I just got home from watching Bondo pitch in person at the Braves AAA affiliate here in Gwinnett, GA. Here are my observations: Bonderman threw around 80% sliders (has this always been the case?) No surprises as his change-up got thrashed two of the three times he threw it. His fastball topped out at 91, so not up to the 93-94 I’m pretty sure he can hit when he’s fully recovered. He gave up one hit through 5 that a major league OF would have caught; then he got pounded in the sixth. He gave up 5 (3 E.R.) runs but every single hitter was hitting him hard. So I’m in the camp he needs to stay down another start or two as hopefully his arm isn’t stretched out enough to throw 100 pitches yet as he finished off the night at 98. As far as the rest of Toledo (not sure anyone cares), Dlugach is fast as hell at SS and besides Hessman the rest of their top players are already in Detroit. Gwinnett threw Tommy Hanson, the Braves top prospect, and he is the entire package. He was topping out at 97 while throwing a drop-off the table curveball. It was the third time I’ve seen him give up under three hits through six innings.
Good stuff there from Lance. If the Tigers are lucky enough to add a healthy and affective Jeremy Bonderman to their surprisingly good rotation, that would just be the tops. Hopefully Bonderman is a sport and is willing to rehab in the minors before forcing his way back to the big club.
For more from my main man, Lance, check out his website here.
Share
Blake VandeBunte is a posting fiend.
Email this author | All posts by Blake VandeBunte
I’m starting to think the Double Header on June 8 is probably the best return scenario…