For the second time in one week, the Orioles have made a trade. This time, Baltimore sent Dylan Bundy to the Los Angeles Angels for four minor league pitchers — Isaac Mattson, Zach Peek, Kyle Bradish, and Kyle Brnovich — Ken Rosenthal reports.
#Angels have acquired RHP Dylan Bundy from the #Orioles, sources tell The Athletic. Triple A RHP Isaac Mattson in deal, heading to Baltimore.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 4, 2019
Bundy, 27, was the 4th overall pick in the 2011 draft. He quickly made his way through the minor league ranks in 2012, pitching in just 23 games between Delmarva, Fredrick, and Bowie, before appearing in 2 games for the Orioles that same season. Unfortunately for Bundy, injuries derailed his once promising career. He underwent Tommy John surgery in 2013, missing the entire 2013 season and appearing in just 9 minor league games in 2014. He earned his way back to the major league club for good in 2016, pitching to a 13-9 record in 109.2 innings with a 107 ERA+. Bundy struggled in 2019, thanks in part to pitching at one of the most hitter friendly ballparks in the MLB, as he ranked highest among Orioles starters in HR/9, hits, and walks. The bright spot for Bundy, and something Angels fans can look forward to, has surprisingly been his health. He hasn’t suffered a major injury since being a full time big leaguer, surpassing 160 innings and 30 starts each of the last 2 seasons. He looks to solidify the back end of the Angels rotation and join pitchers such as Jake Arrieta and Josh Hader to see their careers take off after leaving Baltimore.
Mattson, a 24 year-old and a 19th round pick in 2017, is the closest to the majors of the four pitchers sent to Baltimore, and projects as a 2 pitch reliever. He spent most of last season in Double-A with a 2.68 ERA in 43.2 innings, and went on to spend time with the Triple-A club. Due to the organization’s lack of quality pitching and how quickly Mattson has rose through the minor leagues, expect to see him in the Orioles bullpen sooner rather than later.
Of the four right-handed pitchers, only Bradish is currently ranked in the Angels top 30 prospects, coming in at 21. In the 2018 4th round pick’s first full professional season, he started in 18 games at the Class-A Advanced level, but projects as a major league reliever because of his lack of command and funky delivery (more Brad Brach, anyone?).
Peek and Brnovich were both selected in the 2019 draft, Peek a 6th rounder from Winthrop and Brnovich an 8th rounder out of Elon. Brnovich dominated the college ranks with his dangerous curveball that can reach the lower 90’s. Peek was a Second Team All-Big South selection his junior year, and led the conference in strikeouts while also logging 8 quality starts including a complete game shutout.
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