Keith Law updated his prospect rankings today, and Dylan Bundy lost his spot at #1. But don’t fear Orioles fans, he only fell to spot #2. Manny Machado stayed put at the #3 spot in the rankings, just as he was in Law’s last rankings update which came out May 24th. The person who overtook Bundy’s #1 spot, is Jurickson Profar of the Texas Rangers system. Yep, the rich just keep getting richer. Profar is a shortstop in Double-A and seems to be doing pretty well, he is just 19 years of age, just like Bundy. Bundy and Machado are the only players in the top 50 from the Orioles organization. Which isn’t a good sign, but if we were going to have just two players in the top 50, it’s not bad having them #2 and 3. The Nationals on the other hand, have just one player in the top 50, and that is Anthony Rendon at #44. The 22-year-old third baseman that has been plagued by injuries his whole career.
Here is Keith Law’s take on Bundy and Machado-
2. Dylan Bundy, RHP, Baltimore Orioles (age 19)
Current level: High Class A (Frederick)
Preseason ranking: 11
”Without his cutter, he is not quite the same animal he was in high school, although there is some logic in asking a pitching prospect to shelve his best off-speed pitch temporarily so he can develop his others — a curveball and a changeup in this case, both projecting as grade 55 or 60 pitches — and work on fastball command. Give Bundy back his primary out pitch and he could pitch in Double-A or higher right now.”
3. Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore Orioles (age 20)
Current level: Double-A (Bowie)
Preseason ranking: 4
”Fans disappointed in Machado’s performance earlier this year weren’t considering how young and inexperienced he was as an everyday player in Double-A. After an adjustment period when he was never struggling, just failing to meet expectations, he is having results more commensurate with his high ranking. He is not as close to ready as Profar is on offense or defense, although I think he’ll stay at shortstop and has more potential power.”
As an Oriole fan, it is reassuring to hear that Law is not worried one bit about Machado’s struggles in Double-A, and gave us the reason for why Bundy may be struggling a little bit. Law said that they have stopped having him throw his cutter, his best off-speed pitch, to develop his change-up and curveball more. I can’t say that I completely disagree with this logic because it at least makes sense, but I think that they should still let him throw his cutter some. All in all, I am very happy with Machado and Bundy’s progress thus far.