Control could decide Bruce Rondon’s location in 2013 – MLB Update
Minor League pitcher Bruce Rondon was honoured with a Mayoral Certificate of Merit and a plaque from Erie Country Executive Barry Grossman for hitting 100 miles per hour barrier four times in the All Star Futures Game on July 8.
Detroit Tigers’ General Manager knows Rondon is a rare talent. He can throw pitches over 100 mph on a regular basis. However, what separates him from his peers is his ability to be composed under pressure. He was the most successful pitchers in the Minor
League in 2012.
Shortly after the season, Dombrowski said about Rondon, "I would not discount Bruce Rondon in the competition for our closer role next year."
However, consistency is what will make or break Rondon’s Major League Baseball career. The 21-year-old struggled to pitch with control and accuracy on Saturday night for Navegantes del Magallanes of the Venezuelan Winter League.
Rondon gave up five runs on five hits. Most importantly, he blew the two run ninth inning lead to take his first loss of the winter. Walking a batter, throwing a wild pitch and allowing two doubles, he looked completely out of sorts. His poor performance
also snapped his ninth inning streak of three saves.
"He's a rare talent," Tigers’ president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said last week as he made clear Rondon will go to spring camp with a shot at grabbing Valverde's old job. "You would not believe the number of clubs that have called me about Bruce
Rondon to trade him.”
He added, "This guy is a special potential closer, with the makeup of a closer. Normally, you're not going to thrust that (job) in a young guy's hands and say, automatically, 'It's your job.' But it would not surprise me if he earned that job."
There is no denying the fact Rondon’s fastball is one of the best in the business. It is his control that could keep him from the Tigers’ closer role in the near future. It will be interesting to see if Rondon can get over his control issues to secure a
permanent place on the Tigers’ big league roster.
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