masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Let’s begin today’s blog entry with a very important question, perhaps the biggest of the 2016 season.
Should we use the hashtag #BundySunday or #SundayBundy for Dylan Bundy’s upcoming start? I suggested the former yesterday on Twitter, but I see the logic in the latter if you’re playing off “Sunday Funday.”
Let me know what you think.
Closer Zach Britton no longer has Bundy sitting with him in the bullpen. Bundy is moving into the rotation for the first time in the…

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Let’s begin today’s blog entry with a very important question, perhaps the biggest of the 2016 season.

Should we use the hashtag #BundySunday or #SundayBundy for Dylan Bundy’s upcoming start? I suggested the former yesterday on Twitter, but I see the logic in the latter if you’re playing off “Sunday Funday.”

Let me know what you think.

Closer Zach Britton no longer has Bundy sitting with him in the bullpen. Bundy is moving into the rotation for the first time in the majors.

“I think it’s good for him, obviously,” Britton said. “He’s shown that he’s healthy, from what I can see, and the velo’s looking good. His stuff looks good. So, we’ll see on Sunday.

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“Obviously, he’s going to be nervous. It’s going to be his first start. It’s a different animal than throwing out of the bullpen, a little different in how you prepare, but he’s been doing that his whole life, so I feel like he’s in a good spot. It’s just a matter of the innings, where he’s going to be.

“Obviously, we’re going to be cautious with him, which we should be as a young pitcher, but we’ll see. We need some length. We know we’re going to need some bullpen help with him starting because he’s not going to go out there and throw a complete game right away with the pitch counts and innings, but definitely happy that he’s getting the start. He deserves it.”

The Orioles will face Rays starter Matt Moore tonight at Tropicana Field. They’d rather put him in their rotation, but they just don’t seem to have the available prospects to pull off a deal.

Moore is a left-hander, which brings added appeal to a club lacking one in its rotation, but they just need someone who can give them innings and a chance to win. Left-handed, right-handed, ambidextrous, able to throw with his feet.

The starter for Tuesday night in New York remains a mystery, but it’s clear that Tyler Wilson is a prime candidate. He was on a pitch count last night with Triple-A Norfolk to make him available on three days’ rest, though allowing four runs and six hits in 1 2/3 innings didn’t strengthen his cause.

They sent him down and shut him down to freshen up his arm. He’s still viewed as a potential contributor.

It’s also clear that the Orioles are counting primarily on pitchers already in the organization to improve the rotation’s production. They’re banking on Bundy to make an impact while still having his innings carefully monitored. They’re counting on Yovani Gallardo to stay healthy in the second half and give them more than he could in the first. They’re still expecting Kevin Gausman to take the next big step and become a consistent winner.

Executive vice president Dan Duquette suggested yesterday on MLB Network’s “High Heat” that the Orioles could use a pitcher to “piggyback” off Bundy’s starts, just as you find in the minors. Bundy hasn’t worked more than three innings or thrown more than 57 pitches. He gradually can be expanded without risking the health of his arm, but the Orioles can’t pass the baton inning-to-inning after he exits. A reliever must provide length behind him, whether it’s Vance Worley, Odrisamer Despaigne or someone else.

The Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline is more likely to result in the Orioles improving their pitching depth. It appears that too many teams are fishing in shallow pitching waters for the Orioles to reel in an impact starter, a guy to slot immediately behind Chris Tillman.

The rotation is the primary concern, but the Orioles always have interest in left-handed relief and they may try to go outside the organization. Double-A Bowie’s Donnie Hart is the next man up. They could use a proven major league talent.

I’ve heard a theory floated by one member of the club that the Orioles might be wise to simply find another bat and try to further mash opponents into submission. If the rotation is going to remain the weak link, focus scoring more runs and turning over leads to a bullpen that’s going to get back Darren O’Day.

That’s the least-appealing path to take, of course, but it might be the easiest.

Duquette brought up Double-A catcher Chance Sisco and Triple-A first baseman Trey Mancini as potential trade pieces among the position prospects, guys who figure to attract interest from teams not obsessed with acquiring top young arms in return. The Orioles like their catching depth and Mancini is blocked by Chris Davis, though he could be a designated hitter if they really wanted to hold onto him.

Sisco continues to hit in the minors – he was batting .308/.401/.399 with Bowie before last night and he homered in the Futures Game – but his defense remains a work in progress. Single-A Frederick’s Jonah Heim is a plus-defender with a career .225/.287/.328 slash line before last night. He also could draw interest due to his skills behind the plate and potential as a hitter.

Asked about Sisco shortly before the break, manager Buck Showalter said, “We know where everybody’s strengths and weaknesses are right now. He’s come a long way. The guy’s 20, 21 in Double-A. Look around. There are none. He’s it, so that’s why he’s so well thought of.

“Receiving, calling a good game, he’s throwing better and better as the year’s gone on. He’s another one of those when and not if. We’ve got three or four of those.”