Consistency Is a Coup for Bundy

Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports

Friday night, Dylan Bundy got the start for the Aberdeen Ironbirds in what is expected to be his final start for Aberdeen. The game ended the same way 13 of the other 14 games have this season with the Ironbirds losing. However, the game started the same way the past two games have when Bundy was on the mound with a quality start.

Friday night, Bundy pitched five complete innings (still limited to just five innings of work). Bundy threw 70 total pitches with 48 of them called for strikes. In those five innings pitched, Bundy struck out seven batters and only allowed three hits along with two walks. His fastball sometimes reached speeds of 94 MPH Although Bundy’s scoreless outing was for not as the Ironbirds could not get Bundy any run support and Aberdeen eventually lost 1-0, his performance did not go unnoticed.

With Friday’s performance, Bundy has only allowed one earned run in a total of fifteen innings pitched. Bundy’s seven “K’s” on Friday add onto his already impressive strikeout total. He now has struck out 22 batters during his short stint with the Ironbirds.

His two non-decisions and one loss in three starts with Aberdeen are more of a testament to how the Ironbirds’ bats are struggling and less on Bundy.

He will now be reevaluated and head to either Single-A Frederick or Double-A Bowie. However, he is expected to go up to Bowie with his name already on the team’s roster on their website. Bundy is moving along rather quickly with his rehab assignment. Despite his estimated time of arrival in the Major Leagues being next season, I foresee him joining Baltimore in August as a reliever.

If his consistency on the mound remains in check throughout the rest of his rehab assignment, he will be a valuable asset to have coming out of the bullpen for the Orioles.