14 November 2011

2012 Top 25 Prospects: #1 Dylan Bundy

Follow us on Twitter: @CamdenDepot

Player: Dylan Bundy
Position: right-handed pitcher
Ht/Wt: 6-1/200
B/T: B/R
Age at 11/2011: 19y0m
2011 level(s): N/A
2011 statistics: N/A

Grades - Now (Future):
Motion: 55 (60)
Fastball: 55/60 (65/70)
Curveball: 45/50 (60)
Change: 40 (55/60)
Cutter: 50/55 (60/65)
Control: 45/50 (60)
Command: 40/45 (55/60)
Feel: 45/50 (60)
Overall Future Potential: 58-62
Prospect Grade: A-

*Click here for primer on Grades

Background:
Drafted fourth overall in the 2011 Draft, out of Owasso High School (Owasso, Okla.). Brother Robert “Bobby” Bundy (rhp) pitched most of 2011 as a starter for the Frederick Keys (Advanced-A, Baltimore system) before finishing the season at Bowie (Double-A, Baltimore system).

Physical Description:
Thick, sturdy build. Strength concentrated in thighs/butt, but well proportioned throughout. Athlete with impressive physique and strength but limited physicality and projection.

Motion:
Bundy generates his velocity and big spin on his breaking balls through a quick arm and explosive lower-half. He gets quick drive out of his powerful legs and butt, rotating through with a strong core. Additionally, Bundy uses a low ball drop to start his arm circle, which gives him extra time to accelerate the ball through release (think of a car accelerating in a straight line, measuring speed once at 200-feet and once at 500-feet). Bundy is strong and athletic, showing little trouble maintaining his mechanics and little effort past what you would expect out of an arm throwing in the mid-90s.

Stuff:
Fastball - The fastball is big and loud, clocking regularly in the mid-90s, with an ability to climb to 97/98 mph (and some reports have him hitting triple-digits in Spring 2011). He commands the pitch well to both sides and does a solid job working down in the zone and elevating as needed. There is some question as to how easy it will be for Bundy to maintain the velocity on shorter rest over a longer season, but it's a potential plus-plus pitch.

Cutter - Bundy's cutter is an out pitch now, with borderline slider depth and late life. He brings the pitch in the 86 to 88-mph range, allowing it to serve as a change-of-pace offering. It has developed into his most effective pitch and could be plus or better as he continues to develop as a pro.

Curve - Bundy's curve flashes plus right now and is “on” more often than not. At its best it is a hard 12-to-6 breaker with good depth and hard snap. He can tighten the pitch with more use, giving it more consistent bite and shape. The foundation is here for a third plus-or-better weapon in the armory.

Change-up - Bundy used his change-up more as a junior, and the summer prior to his senior year at Owasso, before his cutter took a big step forward. He has shown feel for it in the past, but will need to spend some time bringing it up to speed with the rest of his repertoire. There is already enough here to hang a future “50” on it, and perhaps better considering the young flame-thrower’s overall feel for the craft.

Discussion:
Bundy had one of the more impressive high school seasons in recent memory leading-up to Draft Day, and separated himself as the top right-handed high school arm in a draft deep in pitching. Despite having yet to throw an official pitch in professional ball, Bundy has more "now" stuff than any other arm in the Baltimore system and fits comfortably as the top overall prospect -- lofty praise considering the Oklahoman turns just 19-years old this month.

His advanced feel for three offerings and a chance for a forth pitch that is at least average, combined with steady and repeatable mechanics and a famous work ethic and training regimen, give him a reasonably high floor for a prep pitcher. He has an even demeanor on the mound, and is well equipped to tackle the challenges of transitioning to pro ball, including a debut assignment in full-season ball.

The two slight knocks on Baltimore’s 2011 first-rounder are his size and past workload, and while his spring numbers were eye-popping they came against uneven competition (as with many prep arms). As of today, it is difficult to envision Bundy falling shy of a front-end spot in a Major League rotation, but if workload and shorter rest prove problematic he could thrive as an elite power arm out of the pen. In fact, you could stick him in a Major League pen right now and feel fairly confident he could keep his head above water.

Ceiling: #1 starter on first division team; true “ace”
Floor: Power closer on first division team
Projected: #1/#2 starter on first division team

No comments: