Deep into the FLP vault
Posted by Carl on June 21, 2008
A recent conversation provoked a Google search of FLP, Bobby Darula. We watched Bobby when he was with the Lynx in 2005 during the Orioles affiliation days. Zak appreciated his hustle and throwback uniform style - high socks, short pants. Bobby’s played the last three seasons in Bridgeport, Connecticut for the Bluefish of the Independent Atlantic League.
In other, more recent FLP news, after struggling in AAA, Joe Bisenius appears to be getting things back on track. Regulars will know that Joe pitched most of last season in Ottawa like Zack Segovia: Injured. Over his last ten games, in 14.1 innings of work, he’s 1-1 with 8Ks and an ERA of 1.88.
What a difference a year makes, not to mention good health. Bisenius was keenly aware some had written him off following last season.
“It comes with the territory of being a 12th-round pick,” he said. “If I was a first- or second-rounder it probably never would have happened. Being a 12th-round pick you kind of get overlooked a lot. You’ve got to deal with it. Personally I think the draft’s a little overrated. After the first or second round it’s kind of a crapshoot. It seems if you get picked late in the draft you have to pay for it the rest of your professional career. I’m used to it.”
To make it in this game, especially as a pitcher from an NAIA school such as Bisenius was, you almost have to adopt the attitude of a runway model.
“I’ve always had pretty good stuff,” said Bisenius, who never doubted his abilities from the start. “I have decent velocity and I always had a real good curveball. When I got drafted, coming in I expected to see all these guys picked ahead of me with better stuff, throwing harder, with better breaking stuff. When I got there I realized I was as good if not better than a lot of those guys.
“I knew it was just a matter of time before I opened some eyes and eventually got a shot at the big leagues, and I did.”
Fastball command has been a priority the last couple of seasons. This year, for example, Bisenius has issued 10 walks in 20 innings while striking out 13. Following a slight adjustment by Filer, however, Bisenius has been able to throw more downhill lately and his location has improved in recent outings.
“I’m throwing every day with no pain,” Bisenius said. “My arm feels great compared to last year when I had a lot of shoulder issues and with my arm. This year I feel 100 percent.”
Finishing up today with news that Gookie Dawkins has been traded out of the Windy City to Kansas City for future considerations. This will be the fourth team this season for Gookie - Lehigh Valley (6 games), Reading (19), Charlotte (12) and finally the Omaha Royals (10) in the Pacific Coast League.
