Dylan Bundy, the Baltimore Orioles’ top pitching prospect, continued his strong 2015 season this weekend with three more shutout innings on Sunday against the Richmond Flying Squirrels (don’t you just love minor league nicknames?). The 22-year-old right-hander is on the mend after missing the entire 2013 season with Tommy John surgery. The Orioles are bringing Bundy along slowly, and he is still on a strict three-inning, 60-pitch leash.
Bundy’s past three starts have been impressive, as he has allowed only one hit in 7.0 shutout innings with nine strikeouts. For the season, Bundy has struck out 18 in 16.0 innings while walking only five and limiting hitters to a .193 BAA.
At some point this season, the Orioles will begin stretching Bundy out. Their caution with Bundy is understandable, given his talent level. That being said, it’s hard to take too much away from Bundy’s statistics so far this season. Rather, Bundy’s progress should be measured by his ascending fastball velocity and comfort throwing his very good curveball.
Bundy’s return to the Majors is still likely a year away, but he is making very good progress in the limited time on the mound he has been given this season. He has been very good with his fastball and curveball again this season after struggling slightly at the High-A level late last season.
There have been a lot of positives for Dylan Bundy so far in 2015, especially the past three outings. His injury sent him tumbling down the MLB prospect rankings, but now over a year removed from any injury concerns, Bundy finally looks to be regaining the form that made him a top-five prospect. The rest of this season will see Bundy’s pitch count and innings limits rise. If all goes according to plan, he may be able to contend for a rotation spot in 2016.
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