Orioles Prospect Dylan Bundy Eying June Return

February 27, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles starting pitcher

(49) throws a pitch in the third inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Dylan Bundy was one of the most sensational prospects in the game. At  the age 19, in his first professional season, he had posted an ERA of 0.00 in High-A with a 20:1 K:BB ratio, torn through double and triple-A and was throwing 95 in the majors by september. That was 2013.  Then an elbow injury forced him to miss the first three months of 2013 and Utmately sent him to the operating room for Tommy John Surgery that had the chance to sideline him for all of 2014.

News out of Orioles camp, however, is promising and the Baltimore Sun is reporting that Bundy is eyeing to return on June 28th, just one year after going under the knife.

“It just kind of depends on your work ethic and whether you have setbacks when you get back on a mound. But I’d say I’m on schedule so far, and I’m happy with it.” Bundy told the Sun yesterday in Sarasota, where he is currently rehabbing.  “Everything’s great. I’m throwing without pain for the first time in a year, so that’s always a positive.”

Expected to contend for for a rotation spot before the elbow injury derailed him, Bundy could be a huge asset for the Orioles down the stretch. He has the three arguably plus pitches in his fastball, curve, and changeup, and should be dominant out of the pen or very good as a starter. Alternately, Baltimore could send him to the minors to prepare for a rotation spot in 2015, but if they’re in contention, his value in a pennant race could just be too tempting.