Drafted in the 1st round (26th overall) by the Oakland Athletics in 2001 (signed for $1,350,000).
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Despite being the most inexperienced pitcher on the staff, Bonderman was the ace of the U.S. team that finished second at the World Junior Championship last summer. His performance there set the wheels in motion for the 6-foot, 195-pound righthander to get into the draft a year earlier than normal. North Carolina high school catcher Landon Powell exposed a little-known draft rule last year that allows juniors to be eligible if they're 18 and obtain a general equivalency diploma, so Bonderman elected to travel the same path--even though Powell ended up in college rather than signing. At 18 years, seven months, Bonderman still is one of the older high school pitchers in the draft. His raw stuff matches up with almost any high school pitcher in the draft. His fastball has been clocked up to 96 mph and he has a hammer curve at 81-84 that acts much like a slider. His size and stuff reminds area scouts of Gerik Baxter, the first of the bevy of Washington draft picks in 1999. When it became apparent Bonderman would declare for this year's draft, he was considered a solid first-round pick. A hamstring problem and the pressure of trying to live up to enormous expectations combined to stunt his development this spring. He was shaky in a number of starts, including one in which he gave up seven runs and didn't make it out of the first inning. He'll still go in the first round if teams can look past his performance this spring and go off what they saw last year.
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Bonderman was acquired from Oakland along with first baseman Carlos Pena and closer Franklyn German in a three-way trade that sent Jeff Weaver, Detroit's top player and 1998 first-round pick, to the Yankees. The trade was made in July, but the Tigers couldn't officially acquire Bonderman until one year after his original signing (Aug. 22, 2001). He was in the news the previous summer as well, when he became the first player ever drafted after his junior year in high school. He was eligible because he was 18 and had received his GED diploma. Bonderman didn't make his pro debut until 2002 because he signed late, and Oakland challenged him by sending him straight to high Class A. Considering his age and experience, he was spectacular. He hadn't even pitched much in instructional league in 2001, logging just three innings.
Bonderman has every tool to be a No. 1 starter in the major leagues. His fastball is consistently in the 92-94 mph range with movement, and there are times when he throws harder. His slider is sharp and he commands it well. Given his limited experience, Bonderman also has made excellent progress with his changeup. He's competitive and wants the ball, displaying a bulldog mentality on the mound. He has a strong frame, which bodes well for his durability. To reach his potential, Bonderman will need better command of his pitches, particularly his fastball. When he falls behind in the count, at times he comes in with less than his best stuff over the heart of the plate. He gave up 18 homers in 157 innings in 2002. Bonderman got better each month of the season until fading in August, so he'll have to get accustomed to the long grind of pro ball.
Though Bonderman is just 20, the Tigers have no intention of bringing him along slowly. Barring injury or a poor performance during spring training, he'll begin 2003 at Double-A Erie. Bonderman has maturity beyond his age, three above-average pitches and a grounded and competitive makeup. It's not inconceivable that he could reach the majors late in the season, though 2004 is a more likely timetable.
Because he was 18 and received his GED diploma, Bonderman was able to enter the 2001 draft and became the first high school junior ever selected. He drew scouts' attention the previous summer, when he was the ace of the U.S. team that finished second at the World Junior Championship. Hamstring problems and high expectations kept him at less than his best last spring. Negotiations with Oakland stalled before he signed for $1.35 million and went to instructional league. The A's have prospered by drafting college pitches, but Bonderman was too enticing to resist. With a fastball that ranges from 93-96 mph and a hard breaking ball that's a cross between a curveball and slider, his ceiling is in orbit. Bonderman pitched just three innings in instructional league and he's as raw as the wind off the Columbia River. His ability to throw strikes and come up with a changeup are unproven, and the A's haven't seen enough of him to know what else might need to be done. Oakland probably will start Bonderman in high Class A (their lowest level with a fullseason affiliate) on a tight pitch count, then send him to short-season Vancouver in June. They don't want to overwhelm him early in his career.
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While the start of Bonderman's career was anything but smooth, he made his pro debut look remarkably easy. First Bonderman made headlines by earning his GED diploma and entering the draft after his junior year of high school. After going in the first round last summer, he didn't sign until the last week in August. With all that behind him, Bonderman's first taste of pro ball came in high Class A, which didn't stop him from experiencing immediate success. He was able to adjust to more experienced hitters because of his advanced feel for pitching. "He throws four pitches for strikes and mixes well, including an above-average changeup," a National League scout said. "He's a little rough around the edges, but he has the makings of pretty good stuff." Bonderman was regularly clocked at 89-93 mph, touching 94, and his breaking ball is another hard pitch. He finished the year in the high Class A Florida State League after joining the Tigers as part of the three-team Jeff Weaver trade.
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Rated Best Slider in the American League in 2007
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