Bump signs Triple-A deal with Phillies
As a kid growing up in Towanda, Nate Bump always followed the Philadelphia Phillies.
Like many kids in this area Bump dreamed of one day playing for the Phillies and now he has taken a step toward making the dream come true.
Bump signed a Triple-A contract with the Phillies, meaning he is likely to begin this season with the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
"I just signed the contract and sent it in," Bump said by phone Wednesday. "I'm very excited, it's a good situation for me. I get to play for Lehigh Valley, it's not that far away from where I grew up.
"I loved the Phillies growing up and it's great to be able to be back in an area where I really want to live again."
The deal Bump signed is a Triple-A deal, but he said the Phillies mentioned possibilities of getting some Spring Training work with the big league club.
"It's a Triple-A contract, but they said they would try and get me over there in some games," Bump said. "For me, that doesn't really matter that much, I am just happy to be back at the Triple-A level and getting a chance to pitch," Bump said. "I just need to be given an opportunity to show that I can play.
"For me it doesn't really matter where I am, I feel like I can put up good numbers no matter where I am."
Last year Bump went 7-1 with a 2.38 ERA in Triple-A for the Toledo Mud Hens, after starting the year in the Independent Atlantic League with Camden. Overall last year Bump finished 15-3 between Camden and Toledo.
A couple of years ago it appeared like arm problems had brought an end to Bump's career, now the right-hander believes he has a lot left in baseball.
"I feel like I can pitch maybe another seven years," Bump said. "I'm in better shape then I think I've ever been in before."
Part of the reason Bump feels like he is in the best shape of his career is because of the difference in his offseason workouts.
"My outlook on pitching has changed," he said. "I now look at the offseason now as more of a full-time job," Bump said. "I'm not taking a lot of time off during the offseason like I used to."
One of the positives with signing with the Phillies is Bump believes they are more likely to call up a veteran pitcher then some other organizations.
"There are so many different variables with a younger organization," Bump said. "When you have an organization that is not on the level to compete for a championship, when they promote players like to stay with the younger players.
"I like the situation here, I think this is a good fit. The ballpark that Lehigh Valley plays in is kind of a bandbox and I'm looking forward to showing what I can do there. But, it's still a long ways off, I have to get to Spring Training first."
And pitching in Pennsylvania will also mean more opportunities for friends and family to watch Bump pitch.
"It should be fun, it will be nice there will be a little more opportunities for people to get out there and watch," Bump said. "I'm close to my wife's family in Newton Square and I'm not that far from my family."
One of the nicest things for Bump is that after growing up a Phillies fan he may now have a chance to pitch for Philadelphia one day.
"I'm excited for the opportunity," Bump said. "I kind of grew up wanting to play for the Phillies. It will just make me want to work even harder to try and make it to the big leagues with the Phillies."
Copyright ©2012 The Daily Review | 116 Main Street | Towanda, PA 18848 | 1-800-253-3662
Privacy Policy | Opinion Posting Policy | About our ads | Questions or comments? Contact Us
1 posted comments