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Introducing Bobby Bundy
6’2” – 205 lbs. – Bats/Throws (R/R) | SP | Bundy represents the first signability pick for the Orioles in 2008. After a strong showing last summer, the right-hander graded as a potential 2nd to 4th round draftee. Committed to
The Statistics ERA – 0.80 WHIP – 0.35 IP – 54 SO – 111 BB – 6 H – 13 While the numbers are impressive in and of themselves, keep in mind that Bundy accomplished this while pitching with a knee brace for the entire season and operating around 3 mph slower than last summer. It’s frightening to think what he could have unleashed on the Will Rogers League had his arsenal been at full-strength. There isn’t much to take away from Bundy’s senior year stats other than that he was quite clearly better than everyone he faced. The low walks are a function of not having to get hitters to chase pitches, though it’s worth noting that there are a fair number of high schoolers that have power-arms but not enough control to effectively operate. His high-80s fastball and two-plane curve where enough to baffle the league and to lead Sperry to a state title. Grading Out
Motion – 60 Changeup – 40 Bundy has a relatively clean motion and keeps a good tempo throughout. Though he had a bit of a bounce last season as he transferred from his leg kick to his stride, his motion was smoother the past season – most likely as a result of pitching with the knee brace. Both his fastball and curveball are potential plus-pitches. His fastball has great late life. Once he has built his velocity back up, it should grade out as at least a 60. His curveball is a big 12-6 downer with bite and plus- to fringe-plus-plus-potential. He has improved his feel for his breaking ball a great deal through his high school career, and he should continue to improve on its consistency as he begins his pro career. He will eventually need to develop an effective changeup, though Pitch Mechanics Overall Motion – Bundy is generally clean through his motion, and word from scouts familiar with Bundy is that pitching with his knee brace helped him to smooth out his delivery (which could get a little herky-jerky at times). He has repeatable, compact movements as he moves from set to stride. His hands occasionally break a little early, as he extends his arm to get into throwing position. His stride is solid and under control, and he maintains a steady head. He is clean through his ¾ arm slot, following through with some slight snap-back in his arm as he finishes. He falls off slightly towards first.
Stride – Prior to his senior year, Bundy had a tendency to get herky-jerky – there was a little bounce in his back leg during his leg kick and as he began his stride. This has been smoothed out, which will aid in his maintaining a more consistent stride and will also relieve some unnecessary stress on his push-off leg. He extends well through his stride and does an excellent job of driving towards home. He has a clean leg plant, though his momentum carries him towards first base as he follows-through. He’s losing a little bit of energy on his pitches by not directing everything towards home, but the fall-off isn’t so egregious that it might hamper his development. Pace – Bundy keeps a good pace through his motion, even more so now that he has lessened the bounce during his leg kick and entry into his stride. His motion is compact and repeatable, and he moves through it without too much effort or delay. Mechanics Grade – B+
Fastball – Prior to his knee injury, Bundy sat in the low-90s, touching 96 with his fastball, though his senior year saw a drop in velocity as he began to regain strength in his knee. He gets great arm side run and is able to command it well to all four quadrants. His advanced command makes the high-80s/low-90s offering an above-average pitch right now – it could be a plus-offering once he builds his velocity back to where it was. Curveball – Bundy’s upper-70s curveball is a big 12-6 offering that forces the hitter to track the ball through two levels. He’s able to consistently throw it for strikes and is comfortable throwing it in any count. It is an above-average offering that could be a fringe plus-plus-pitch as he improves his command and his arm action. Changeup – Bundy’s changeup is below-average, but he’s never really had to develop it. He currently gets a little bit of fade, but doesn’t command it particularly well. If he’s able to bring it up to an average ML-level offering, it could be very effective as a compliment to his fastball/curveball combo. “Stuff” Grade – B – Bundy’s “stuff” will grade much higher as his velocity returns back to its low- to mid-90s fastball range. His fastball and curveball are potential plus-pitches, and his changeup could likely be an average offering with a little bit of work. Ultimately, his changeup and the return of his velocity will determine whether Bundy has a shot to be a front-end starter or a solid mid-rotation arm. His advanced command and repeatable motion are both huge pluses and should make it easier for him to make adjustments as he advances through the professional ranks. Nick's Notes
Bundy will remain a wildcard until we see the expected return in his velocity and how he holds-up in his first professional season. His advanced command and repeatable motion are both huge pluses and should make it easier for him to make adjustments as he advances through the professional ranks. Bundy could move very quickly, though the bounty of arms currently at AA and HiA should allow the organization to take its time in developing the talented high schooler. With two potential plus-pitches, solid command and a sturdy frame, Bundy could be a solid number 3 starter. With a more developed changeup and mid-90s velocity, that projection could bump up to the front-end of a Major League rotation. Time will tell. Prospect Grade - B ETA – 2012 |
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Arm Action – Bundy separates well in his leg kick, but runs into some trouble as he begins his arm action. He tends to lift the ball with his elbow. Ideally, the arm will extend backwards with the elbow facing back and up. Once the arm is fully extended the elbow rotates so that it is facing down for the remainder of the arm lift into position. To understand how this avoids placing strain on the elbow, stand with your right arm flat against your side, elbow facing out. Now lift your arm until it is perpendicular to your body at shoulder level. Try this once keeping your elbow out so that it is facing the ceiling once your arm is at shoulder level. Now try it again allowing your elbow to naturally rotate once it encounters resistance. Notice how your body naturally rotates the elbow as it approaches shoulder level so that the elbow is ultimately facing the ground. By lifting the ball with the elbow as he starts his arm action, Bundy is mimicking the elbow-to-the-ceiling arm motion we just stepped through. His elbow lift is slight, and may amount to nothing. Still, it is putting strain on his elbow and is a red flag that may be addressed by his instructors in the low-minors if the organization considers it potentially problematic. As he starts towards home his arm comes through a ¾ slot and carries a good line to the plate. He finishes across his left hip with occasional snap-back in his arm. 
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