What Happened to Dylan Bundy?

Frank Jones

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What Happened to Dylan Bundy

Dylan Bundy is a professional baseball pitcher who has had a promising career marred by injuries and inconsistent performances in recent years. Bundy was drafted fourth overall by the Baltimore Orioles in the 2011 Major League Baseball draft, and he quickly rose through the ranks of the team’s minor league system.

He made his debut with the Orioles in 2012 and showed significant promise in his rookie season, but he has struggled to find consistency in the years since.

After a trade to the Los Angeles Angels in 2020, Bundy had a mixed performance, with strong starts and disappointing finishes to both the 2020 and 2021 seasons.

In March of 2023, Bundy signed a minor-league contract with the Mets, leaving his future in professional baseball uncertain. In this blog post, we will take a closer look at what happened to Dylan Bundy and examine his potential for future success.

Early Career Success

Bundy’s High School and Amateur Career

Dylan Bundy was a highly touted high school pitcher from Oklahoma who was considered one of the top prospects in the 2011 MLB draft. He had an impressive amateur career, setting several national high school records, including a 111-5 record and a 0.06 ERA.

His Rapid Ascent Through the Baltimore Orioles Minor League System

After being drafted fourth overall by the Baltimore Orioles, Bundy quickly moved through the team’s minor league system, displaying remarkable skill and potential at each level.

He pitched in just 23 games in the minors, posting a 2.08 ERA with 119 strikeouts in 103.2 innings pitched, and made his way to the majors by the end of the 2012 season.

His Debut With the Orioles in 2012 and Promising Rookie Season

In his rookie season, Bundy showed flashes of brilliance, earning a spot in the Orioles starting rotation and finishing the year with a 4-1 record and a 2.78 ERA in 12 games. He also struck out 54 batters in 63 innings pitched and earned the trust of Orioles fans and coaches alike.

Despite his success, however, Bundy would soon face significant challenges that would test his resilience and potential as a pitcher.

Struggles With the Orioles

Injury Setbacks and Time on the Disabled List

After his impressive rookie season, Bundy’s career was plagued by injury setbacks and time on the disabled list. In 2013, he suffered a season-ending elbow injury that required Tommy John surgery.

He was able to return to the Orioles in 2014 but continued to struggle with injuries, including shoulder and ankle problems, which limited his playing time and overall effectiveness.

Inconsistency and Struggles With Pitching Mechanics

Even when healthy, Bundy struggled with consistency and had difficulty maintaining his pitching mechanics, leading to uneven performances on the mound.

He bounced between the starting rotation and bullpen, never fully settling into a role or finding the success he had shown in his rookie season.

Trade to the Los Angeles Angels in 2020

In December 2019, Bundy was traded to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for four pitching prospects. The trade was seen as a fresh start for Bundy, who was hoping to revive his career and find greater success with a new team in a different league.

Mixed Results With the Angels

Strong Start to the 2020 Season

Bundy had a strong start to the 2020 season with the Angels, posting a 1.57 ERA and striking out 35 batters in his first 28.2 innings pitched. He was named the American League Pitcher of the Month for August, and many hoped that he had finally turned the corner in his career.

Inconsistency and Struggles in the Second Half of the 2020 Season

However, Bundy’s performance declined in the second half of the 2020 season, as he struggled with consistency and gave up more runs than he had in the first half.

Despite finishing the season with a respectable 3.29 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 65.2 innings pitched, he was unable to recapture the dominance he had shown earlier in the year.

Poor Performance in the 2021 Season, Including a Demotion to the Minors

Bundy’s struggles continued into the 2021 season, where he struggled with a 6.02 ERA in 16 starts. He was eventually demoted to the minors in July, in an effort to work on his mechanics and regain his confidence.

While he did show some improvement in the minors, his poor performance in the majors was cause for concern for both the Angels and Bundy’s future in the league.

Overall, Bundy’s performance with the Angels was marked by both promise and disappointment, leaving many to wonder if he would ever be able to regain the form that had made him such a highly-touted prospect early in his career.

Current Status and Future Outlook

Bundy’s Recent Signing of a Minor-league Contract With the Mets in March 2023

In March of 2023, Dylan Bundy signed a minor-league contract with the New York Mets, indicating that he is still looking to revive his career after a disappointing season in 2021.

The contract likely includes an invitation to spring training, where he will have the opportunity to compete for a spot on the Mets’ roster.

His Current Skills and Potential for Improvement

Bundy’s recent struggles have raised questions about his ability to succeed at the major league level, but he still possesses significant talent and potential.

He has shown an ability to strike out batters at a high rate, and his fastball and slider remain effective pitches when he is able to command them.

However, his inconsistency and struggles with his mechanics will need to be addressed if he hopes to find sustained success in the league.

Whether Bundy Will Be Able to Overcome His Recent Struggles and Regain His Former Success

While it remains to be seen whether Bundy will be able to regain his former success, there is reason to be optimistic about his future. He is still relatively young and has shown an ability to be a dominant pitcher when healthy and in top form.

If he is able to overcome his recent struggles and regain his confidence, there is no reason why he cannot become a valuable contributor for the Mets or another team in the league.

Only time will tell if Bundy will be able to put his recent struggles behind him and reestablish himself as a force in Major League Baseball.

Dylan Bundy’s career statistics:

YearTeamW-L RecordERAGames StartedInnings PitchedStrikeouts
2012BAL2-12.7021.22
2013BAL10-64.0323118.1100
2014BAL5-64.751475.159
2015BAL3-34.02963.134
2016BAL10-64.0236109.2104
2017BAL13-94.2428169.2152
2018BAL8-165.4531171.2184
2019BAL7-144.7930161.2162
2020LAA6-33.291165.272
2021LAA4-136.0424129.1120

This table shows Dylan Bundy’s win-loss record, ERA, games started, innings pitched, and strikeouts for each year of his career, broken down by team.

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of pitcher is Dylan Bundy?

Dylan Bundy is a right-handed pitcher who has relied primarily on his fastball and slider throughout his career. He has also developed a changeup and a curveball that he will occasionally mix in to keep batters off balance.

How has Bundy’s injury history impacted his career?

Bundy’s injury history has been a significant factor in his struggles at times throughout his career. He has dealt with elbow and shoulder injuries, which have forced him to miss significant time on the disabled list and required him to undergo surgery. These injuries have also impacted his ability to command his pitches and maintain consistency on the mound.

What factors led to Bundy’s struggles with the Angels in 2021?

There were a number of factors that contributed to Bundy’s struggles with the Angels in 2021. He struggled with inconsistency and was not able to command his pitches with the same effectiveness as he had in the past. He also gave up a high number of home runs, which contributed to his elevated ERA.

What are the Mets hoping to get from Bundy by signing him to a minor-league contract?

The Mets likely see Bundy as a low-risk, high-reward signing who has the potential to regain his form and contribute to the team’s pitching staff. By signing him to a minor-league contract, they can give him the opportunity to work on his mechanics and regain his confidence in the hopes that he can become a valuable contributor at the major-league level.

To Recap

Dylan Bundy’s career has been marked by both early success and recent struggles. After a promising rookie season with the Orioles, he was plagued by injury setbacks, inconsistency, and struggles with his mechanics.

Despite a strong start to the 2020 season with the Angels, his performance declined in the second half of the season and he struggled throughout the 2021 season.

Bundy’s recent signing of a minor-league contract with the Mets suggests that he is still looking to revive his career and regain his former success.

While his recent struggles have raised questions about his ability to succeed at the major league level, he still possesses significant talent and potential.

If he is able to overcome his recent struggles and regain his confidence, there is no reason why he cannot become a valuable contributor for the Mets or another team in the league.

Only time will tell whether Bundy will be able to put his recent struggles behind him and reestablish himself as a force in Major League Baseball.

However, his talent and potential suggest that he is still capable of achieving significant success in the league if he is able to address his inconsistencies and regain his confidence on the mound.

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