Dylan Bundy is bullpen bound in 2015

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles’ No. 1 prospect will break into the major leagues this season. There is much excitement around Baltimore knowing Dylan Bundy will be putting on an Orioles jersey and contributing to the team’s success. However, how Bundy will be helping in 2015 will be a little different than in future years with the ball club.

Bundy will be a certified starter in future seasons with Baltimore, but because of his lack of experience at the major league level and the lack of “room” in the Orioles’ starting rotation, expect to find Bundy pitching out of the bullpen as a middle reliever this season.

Last year, Bundy was recovering from Tommy John Surgery. In 2014, Bundy posted a 3.27 ERA with 37 strikeouts and 15 earned runs in 41 1/3 innings pitched between Short-Season A Aberdeen and Single-A Frederick.

This season will not be Bundy’s first time pitching at the major league level as he made his debut with the Orioles in 2012 where he pitched an inning 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball in two games with the Orioles.

In the middle of 2013, Bundy was forced to step away from the baseball diamond and undergo Tommy John Surgery to repair his injured throwing elbow.

After over a year and a half of rehabbing and recovering, Bundy is coming into spring training this season stronger than ever. So far this spring, Bundy has appeared in two games and has pitched 2 2/3, giving up two runs off of three hits and four walks. He has also struck out two batters.

With only 30 days left until Opening Day, it appears like if Bundy wants to pitch for the Orioles this season then he will have to do it has a relief pitcher as the Orioles already have an abundance of capable starting pitchers.

With Kevin Gausman, Bud Norris, Miguel Gonzalez, Wei-Yin Chen and Chris Tillman as the probable starting pitchers for 2015, Bundy will need to back them up and prove his ability and control of his pitches as a reliever.

If he can do that and do that effectively, then manager Buck Showalter is sure to take notice.