masn-baseballs-orioles.jpgAfter his latest outstanding outing, this afternoon at Hagerstown, it appears that Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy is finally closing in on a promotion to a higher level.

His next start will likely be Saturday – and it still could be for Single-A Delmarva – but it appears the Orioles brass will be meeting soon to discuss if now is the time to promote Bundy.

“Dylan has clearly forced the issue for a point of discussion about, ‘Let’s talk about the next phase of this.’ I think…After his latest outstanding outing, this afternoon at Hagerstown, it appears that Orioles top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy is finally closing in on a promotion to a higher level.

His next start will likely be Saturday – and it still could be for Single-A Delmarva – but it appears the Orioles brass will be meeting soon to discuss if now is the time to promote Bundy.

“Dylan has clearly forced the issue for a point of discussion about, ‘Let’s talk about the next phase of this.’ I think that is coming sooner than later,” O’s director of pitching development Rick Peterson told MASNsports.com tonight.

Bundy threw five shutout innings of one-hit ball today for Single-A Delmarva at Hagerstown in his eighth pro outing. He has now pitched 30 innings for Delmarva, allowing just two unearned runs on just five hits. He has walked two batters and fanned 40. He got his first win today, so he is 1-0 and his ERA remains 0.00.

Peterson indicated that his personal recommendation would be to have Bundy not skip a level and that the next move would include a promotion to Single-A Frederick. But nothing has been decided yet and Peterson said it will be a decision made by several in the organization, including vice president Dan Duquette and manager Buck Showalter.

It is possible that Bundy could make one final start for the Shorebirds at home Saturday night before a move up.

I’ll have more quotes from Peterson on Bundy in this space Monday morning.