Andy Baggarly tracked down Madison Bumgarner, who was told Monday night he would start the year in Fresno. I love the final quote from Baggs's post, a fascinating mix of confidence, perhaps a little cockiness, a sense of belonging and maturity:
"I wasn't surprised," he said. "I'm only 20. I'm ahead of the curve. That's what I talked to my family about, and Rags and Boch. It's a good thing."
The kid is already calling the coaches by their nicknames. And he's already figured out that he tried too hard to impress in camp, which is a fast mental turnaround for someone so young. Some guys take years to get it -- Bumgarner seems like he already does. Of course, it's one thing to identify and admit to a flaw, it's another to fix it. If he can do so in a month or two, I'll be ready to anoint him Zen master. Breathe in, breathe out, and watch your pitches float across the diamond of your mind like clouds.
Perhaps this is all a bit much to draw from a single quote, but from other interviews and reports, Bumgarner seems grounded. Perhaps there really is something to the Giants' ability to find the young guys who not only can pitch but also understand pitching.
