Following an 18-inning marathon win over the Seattle Mariners and needing an extra arm in the bullpen, the Orioles have promoted top pitching prospect Dylan Bundy to the big leagues.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports is reporting Bundy will be called up to fill a limited role in the bullpen. The Orioles used seven relievers in a combined 12 2/3 innings in the second game of a three-game set in Seattle.
The 19-year-old had been participating in the organization’s instructional league in Sarasota after finishing his first professional season at Double-A Bowie. Bundy made three starts for the Baysox, going 2-0 with a 3.24 earned run average in 16 2/3 innings.
Manager Buck Showalter said at the end of August that the Orioles would not promote Bundy, stating the organization’s preference for him to go to the instructional league in mid-September to work on his command and time to the plate.
In 23 starts split among low Single-A Delmarva, high Single-A Frederick, and Bowie, the right-hander went a combined 9-3 with a 2.08 ERA in 103 2/3 innings. He struck out 119 batters and walked 28, though he struggled more with his command as he climbed the organizational ladder.
Bundy was the fourth overall pick of the 2011 amateur draft and was already on the 40-man roster, meaning the Orioles will not need to make a corresponding roster move.
