“Careful what you wish for” isn’t just a cliché or a phrase that genies use in Disney movies. “Careful what you wish for” can also be applied to you, Mr. or Ms. Fantasy Baseballer, wishing a rookie pitcher gets put into a major league rotation. Rookie pitchers are prone to the roofie. To misquote Shakespeare, rookie pitchers are full of sound and fury and, by the middle of the season, you can hear the sound of furious fantasy owners. Let’s give some numbers now. In 26 IP of his rookie year, 25 Ks, 1.15 WHIP and a 2.42 ERA. Then in his sophomore year, his numbers were 160 2/3 IP, 130 Ks, 1.51 WHIP and a 4.82 ERA. His wildness really stopped him from being successful with 96 walks. There were definitely some flashes of brilliance, but almost completely unownable in fantasy. Wait, next year hasn’t happened yet. Oh, right, random italicized voice. My bad. Those are the rookie and sophomore numbers for Randy Johnson. Randy Johnson and Dylan Bundy aren’t close to the same pitcher. They don’t even throw with the same arm. Luckily, cause then Randy would probably be looking to reclaim his arm at some point and that could get messy. I tell you all of this about one of the great pitcher’s rookie and sophomore years so your expectations are in check. Okay, ready to knock your expectations out of check? Yeah, me too! So what can we expect of Dylan Bundy for 2013 fantasy baseball?
First (though this is more like second), here’s what I said at the end of the year when he was called up, “Bundy’s A-Ball numbers were insane. He was too good for A-Ball. A-Ball called a press conference and said, “You’re embarrassing us. Please leave” In 30 innings, he had 40 Ks and 2 walks. Only giving up 5 hits and zero earned runs. High-A wasn’t quite as bonkers, but wasn’t far off — 57 IP, 66 Ks and 18 walks with a 2.84 ERA. In Double-A, it seemed like people started to finally catch up to his talent level, but he only threw 16 2/3 IP and had 13 Ks with a 3.24 ERA. The Orioles also told him to stop using his cutter. They said go with your 99 MPH fastball, i.e., I Can’t Believe It’s Not A Cutter. So he’s adjusting. Even without the cutter, he’s going to be an ace.” And that’s me quoting me! I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s not called up until June of 2013, but that shouldn’t stop him for giving some serious fantasy value. Think about how great Medlen was last year and you didn’t own him until August. In 20 starts next year for Bundy, I could see a line of 8-3/3.40/1.10/150. Obviously there’s a chance for huge upside. But, as mentioned in the opening, there’s risk, over-the-internet friend.
