Duquette on Machado, Schoop and Bundy

NORFOLK, Va. - Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette was asked today about Dylan Bundy's season. Does he see the O's 2011 top draft pick pitching all year with Single-A Delmarva, or could he moved up later to higher levels on the farm? "Dylan Bundy's year, I hope, is as a starting pitcher and that he gets into the flow of a routine that a good major league starting pitcher goes through in terms of understanding his delivery, throwing on the side, conditioning himself and staying healthy," Duquette said. "Where is he going to do it? He's going to do it in Delmarva and if he pitches well, maybe we'll look at pitching him someplace else. But right now it's more important that he learn the routine." In a recent interview, Duquette indicated that Manny Machado and Jonathan Schoop, the Orioles' top two-ranked position prospects, could begin the year both playing shortstop for different teams. But both players will begin the year at Double-A Bowie with Machado at short and Schoop at second base. Did Duquette have a change of heart about the pair? "I think that both these kids are qualified major league infielders and I think they are both ready for Double-A," he said. Duquette seems confident that Machado is now ready to move to Double-A. "First of all, he believes he's a big leaguer and the way he goes about his business he knows he has talent," Duquette said. "He can play shortstop. The way he ranged to his left for ground balls, and to his right for pop ups, showed me he can be a really, top quality quality shortstop and he just needs some at-bats. And Double-A is a key developmental level, so why not now." With Manny beginning the year with Bowie, does that hasten his timetable to get to the major leagues? "I think every ballplayer should go to Double-A," Duquette said, not ready to commit himself or the organization right now to a more definitive answer on Machado.