Although Overshadowed Some by Brother, Baysox Pitcher a Very Good Prospect By His Own Right

In its scouting report of Dylan Bundy for the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, MLB.com described Bundy as having all the necessary tools to one day become a “frontline” starting pitcher.

Bundy was selected by the Baltimore Orioles with their first round pick (fourth overall) in the draft.

But while Dylan may be the Bundy receiving most of the attention right now, his brother, Bobby, may actually have the tools to one day become a frontline starter for Baltimore as well.

Bobby, who finished the season with the Baysox, was a combined 12-8 with a 3.40 ERA in 24 starts for Bowie and Class-A Frederick this year.

The 21-year old was an eighth-round pick the Orioles in 2008.

“Bobby’s a special kid,” Bowie pitching coach Kennie Streenstra said. “Hopefully we can keep developing him and turning him into someone that can be special for Baltimore in a couple years.”

Streenstra described Bundy as a “power pitcher” with five effective pitches, including a fastball that consistently reaches 94-95 miles per hour. Bundy also throws a sinker, which Streenstra says “he uses effectively to get ground ball outs,” as well as a change-up, a curveball and a cutter.

And while Bundy struggled some after being promoted to Bowie in early August, Streenstra has no doubt that he has all the tools to develop into a high-level starting pitcher at the major league level.

Bundy was just 1-3 with a 9.00 ERA in four starts with the Baysox, and issued 11 walks in only 14 innings of work. With Frederick, though, he was 11-5 with a 2.75 ERA in 20 starts with the Keys prior to being promoted. He posted 100 strikeouts and surrendered just 31 walks in 121 innings of work with Frederick. He was 4-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 28 appearances, including 18 starts, with Class-A Delmarva last season.

“He definitely profiles as a starter at the major league level,” Streenstra said. “Where in the rotation, whether it’s as a number one or as a number three, is always tough to say, since that will depend on how he develops over the next couple of years, but he definitely has the tools to be an upper end of the rotation kind of guy.”

Going forward, though, Streenstra is looking for continued progression from Bundy, hoping he can continue to develop his fastball command, especially when he’s behind in the count, and can begin using his secondary pitches more often when he’s behind in the count as well.

He said he saw Bundy improve in both areas, though, during his short time with the Baysox.

“He’s made improvements in both areas already,” Streenstra said. “He definitely learned some things already here, but just needs to keep improving.”