On the Orioles' rushing players to the majors
[Sidney] Ponson, [Luis] Matos, [Larry] Bigbie and [Jerry] Hairston: more time in the minors would not have made a difference in these cases. Can't make a purse out of a sow's ear.
Matt Riley was rushed to the majors. If I remember correctly, the O's had a set of circumstances ... they were out of arms and brought him up to fill a hole.
Perhaps most important in a young player is the elusive "makeup." Generally that means maturity and humility to go along with a calm and subtle confidence.