Bruce Rondon has an excellent chance to pitch in Majors – MLB Update
Surprisingly, Bruce Rondon’s name was spoken the most in Dave Dombrowski’s post-season press conference on Tuesday. Detroit Tigers’ General Manager did not choose to talk about relief pitcher Jose Valverde or Delmon Young in his post-season press conference
on Tuesday.
Starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez, who is free agent these days, could also have been the subject of discussion as the Tigers have shown great interest in re-signing him. What about Miguel Cabrera and Prince, two of the best hitters in the American League?
Jim Leyland, who recently agreed to a one year contract extension with the Tigers?
However, Dombrowski chose to talk about Rondon, who has never pitched in Major League Baseball.
It seems like the hard throwing pitcher is set to get his first opportunity to pitch in the Majors. Dombrowski indicated that he might use Rondon as closer in 2013 Spring Training sessions.
"This guy is a talented guy," Dombrowski said. "He's a rare talent. You would not believe the number of teams that call me about Bruce Rondon and trading him. And I would tell you that if I had a choice of any young closer in baseball to give an opportunity
to, with any organization, it would be him. Now will he be ready? I don't know that.”
“This guy is a special potential closer with the makeup of a closer," Dombrowski said. "Normally you're not going to thrust that in a young guy's hands and say automatically.”
Rondon is the most talented pitcher in Tigers’ Minor League system. He has the ability to throw hard as he can sometimes go over 100 mph. For his consistent and match winning performances, he was named the Tigers’ Minor League Player of the Year for 2012.
The fact Rondon, who has played just nine Triple A League Games, would get the chance to perform closer’s duties in the next season, shows how highly the Tigers think of him.
Manager Jim Leyland will not mind having another match winner in the pitching rotation. It will be interesting to see if the 21-year-old, who went 1-0 with a staggering 2.25 ERA and nine strike-outs for Triple A Toeldo during 2012, can make Dombrowski feel
proud and cement his place on Tigers’ big league roster.
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