Drafted in the 1st round (25th overall) by the San Francisco Giants in 1998 (signed for $750,000).
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Bump hoped to use the 2000 Arizona Fall League the way Brad Penny did the year before, to create momentum after a disappointing year at Double-A. Instead, a recurrence of tendinitis in the back of his shoulder ended Bump's AFL experience after just one start and 2 2/3 innings. He missed his final three turns at Portland with the same ailment, but an MRI revealed no damage. He did close fast to finish his third professional season on an upward note. He threw a career-high 150 innings, including three complete games and a one-hitter. Club officials praised his attitude and work ethic as he reversed a 2-7, 6.99 record in his first 14 outings. He had lost 13 of his first 17 decisions at Portland before closing 6-1. His upper-80s fastball won't blow hitters away, and Bump admits he threw too many "get-me-over" curves to thrive at Double-A. But he made good progress with his changeup in the second half and finally learned to relax on the mound. His two-seamer has good life, but Bump has a tendency not to trust it, then tries to be too fine. Assuming he's healthy, he'll move to Triple-A in 2001.
Background: Bump was considered a potential high pick before his junior year at Penn State but a poor season ran teams off. Bump returned for his senior season after being taken in the 23rd round and pitched his way up the draft to be the 25th overall selection. His $750,000 signing bonus was the lowest in the first round. Strengths: Bump has excellent command and location of his two primary pitches, a 91-92 mph fastball and an 87-89 mph cutter that he consistently gets under lefthanded hitters' fists. Bump's delivery is balanced and simple and his mound demeanor very poised--ingredients that should enable him to move quickly through the system. Weaknesses: The Giants will push Bump to use his knuckle-curve and changeup more in 1999 as he won't be able to overmatch Double-A hitters with two power pitches as easily as he did Class A hitters last season. The Future: Bump's ability and maturity surprised even the Giants last year, who kept him in Class A because of San Jose's California League championship hopes. The development of his offspeed pitches will determine how quickly he takes the next step.
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