Baltimore Orioles: Why Dylan Bundy's No-Hit Streak Could Land Him in Double-A

Dylan Bundy, the No. 4 overall pick in the 2011 draft, took the mound for the fourth time in his young career on Tuesday, having already established himself as both the most exciting and impressive prospect in all of the Minor Leagues to begin the season.

Over his first three starts, each spanning three innings, Bundy has been unhittable.  Over nine hitless innings, Prospect Pipeline’s No. 9 prospect has amassed 15 strikeouts while only allowing a single baserunner (via walk). 

In his professional debut against Asheville on April 6, the Bundy struck out six over three perfect innings.  In his next outing on April 11, Bundy fanned six more batters while tossing three additional perfect frames.

Against Hagerstown on April 17, Bundy allowed his first baserunner of the season when he issued a two-out walk to Billy Burns.  Beyond that, it was more of the same for Bundy, as he fired three more hitless innings and tallied three punchouts.

Amazingly, Bundy, 19, was able to further his rapidly growing legend on Tuesday, as he pitched four innings for the first time in his professional career and was once again stingy, as he refused to allow a hit in Delmarva’s 4-2 win over Greenville. 

That’s right. Through his first 13 professional innings, Dylan Bundy has not given up a hit.  And as it has become a common theme among his starts, Bundy fanned six more hitters, running his season total to 21.  Of the 40 batters he’s faced thus far, the right-hander has retired 39 of them in a seemingly effortless manner.

In each start, Bundy has thrown primarily fastballs, frequently touching 99 mph, according to Danny Wild of MLB.com.  However, he has made a concentrated effort in his more recent starts to mix in his plus breaking ball and above-average changeup—basically, Bundy is just getting his work in.  The fact that he’s been completely and utterly dominant is merely a bonus.

For a 19-year-old drafted out of high school, the Oklahoman has shown an unprecedented amount of polish and confidence on the mound.  Although the Orioles have made it clear that they will take their time developing the immensely talented right-hander, it seems as though it’s only a matter of time until he receives a promotion.

The only question is whether the next stop will be at High or Double-A. Either way, Bundy is simply too good to continue pitching at Low-A for much longer.

Fellow 2011 first-rounder Matt Barnes—selected 19^th overall by the Boston Red Sox—also built upon his impressive start to the season on Tuesday, as the right-hander echoed Bundy’s dominance by firing five scoreless innings while fanning nine Delmarva hitters.

One of the hottest pitchers in the Minors, Barnes is yet to allow a run in his first 21 innings.  The UConn alumnus has 34 strikeouts compared to only four walks.

I will actually headed to the Washington D.C. area this weekend with the intention to witness the legend in person on Sunday.  So, be sure to check back at the beginning of next week for detailed scouting notes and video of the right-hander’s fifth start of the season.