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Baltimore Orioles: Dylan Bundy Does It Again Against The Yankees

By Nick Stevens

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 06: Starting pitcher Dylan Bundy #37 of the Baltimore Orioles throws to a New York Yankees batter in the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND - APRIL 06: Starting pitcher Dylan Bundy #37 of the Baltimore Orioles throws to a New York Yankees batter in the first inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on April 06, 2019 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images) /
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Baltimore Orioles starter Dylan Bundy failed to make it out of the fourth inning against the New York Yankees on Saturday night.

In his first start of the season, Dylan Bundy lasted just 3.2 innings, giving up three earned runs on two hits and five walks against the New York Yankees. On Saturday night at Camden Yards, Baltimore Orioles starter Dylan Bundy had a shot at redemption against the division-rival Yankees, instead, Bundy lasted just 3.2 innings, once again.

The last time Bundy was able to secure a victory against the Yankees was nearly two years ago, May 29, 2017. In six starts since his last win against New York, Bundy has given up 23 earned runs and walked 19 in 26.1 innings. That includes eight home runs.

In his first outing this season, Bundy needed 93 pitches, produced nine swinging strikes, and allowed an average exit velocity of 80.8 mph on batted balls.

On Saturday, Bundy threw 85 pitches, recorded 12 swings and misses, and allowed an average exit velocity of 95 mph. This included a 110 mph (412 foot) home run off the bat of Aaron Judge and a 108 mph (418 foot) home run by Judge later in the contest. Bundy was hit early, often, and extremely hard in a very hitter-friendly ballpark.

Much of Saturday’s struggles came from his location. The green dot you see below is the pitch location on Aaron Judge’s first home run ball. The second home run was in the exact same spot, a few inches higher (hanging curveball).

When you’re averaging just 90.3 mph on your four-seam fastball and leaving them over the middle of the plate, balls are going to be hit hard, especially against this Yankees’ lineup, even if it has been hurt by injuries through the first week of the season.

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At this rate, we’re looking at a fourth-straight season of decreased fastball velocity for Bundy. In 2016, he averaged 93.8 mph, dropping to 92.2 mph in 2017 and 91.6 mph in 2018. He sat at 91 mph in his first 2019 start, dropping by nearly another full mph in tonight’s start.

The increased percentage of swinging strikes is a positive takeaway from Bundy’s performance. He was able to use the changeup more frequently, throwing it 17 times and producing four swings and misses. It was also touched up for hard contact a few times, but there were a few devastating changeups sprinkled in.

Can Dylan Bundy be fixed? Early reports by beat writers suggested a big season for Dylan Bundy with the additional emphasis on analytics and the addition of pitching coach Doug Brocail. So far, results haven’t been positive.

Next. Hunter Harvey Returned To The Mound On Saturday. dark

Bundy’s next start is likely to come at home against the Oakland A’s. The Baltimore Orioles are 3-0 against the A’s when Bundy starts. In those three contests, Bundy has struck out 26, walked just three, and given up eight runs on 20 hits.

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